The contemporary issues and debates related to the themes of the book 'Originals' revolve around innovation, risk-taking, persuasion, and change. These include the debate on the balance between innovation and tradition, the risks associated with novel ideas and how to mitigate them, the art of persuasion in promoting new ideas, and the impact of original thinkers on societal change. There's also a discussion on the role of technology in facilitating or hindering original thinking, as seen in the story of Carmen Medina at the CIA.

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Originals

Learn how innovators and original thinkers across time developed their novel ideas, mitigated risks, persuaded others, and changed the way we all see...

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There are parallels here with Carmen Medina's story at the CIA. When she first voiced her idea in the early 1990s, the agency was not ready. But after a few years, electronic communication had become more secure and more familiar. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 were the final push needed to convince people that the costs of failing to share information were too high to ignore.

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Carmen Medina's case at the CIA is a prime example of how the adoption of innovative ideas can be influenced by external factors and timing. In the early 1990s, her idea for better information sharing was initially rejected due to security concerns and unfamiliarity with electronic communication. However, as technology advanced and the need for information sharing became more apparent, especially after the 9/11 attacks, her idea was finally accepted. This case highlights the importance of persistence in innovation and the role of external events in accelerating organizational change. It also underscores the potential costs of failing to adapt and share information in a timely manner.

The lessons from Carmen Medina's story at the CIA can be applied in today's business environment in several ways. Firstly, it highlights the importance of persistence in pushing for innovative ideas, even when they are initially rejected. Secondly, it underscores the need for organizations to adapt to technological advancements, such as secure electronic communication. Lastly, it emphasizes the high costs of failing to share information, which can be mitigated through improved communication and collaboration.

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