As I work with financial technology ideas, it is interesting to see how many ideas are universal. The traditional boundaries defined by language, culture, and habits continue to shrink. One mentor I work with observes that you need to be intensely local/local in your focus, otherwise you must think globally! Trying to be in the middle is an exercise in complexity without the potential to reach as many customers (revenues) as you otherwise could.
Even as I think of problem solving, the questions of scalability, usability, and transference are always here. As ideas are considered, many use an evaluation process that picks individual to represent different audiences and targets. There is a natural confidence that follows with an idea works across the groups, you know the potential is high.
As I consider opportunities to improve my ideas, I realize that when ideas work everywhere, then is works anywhere. Life whispers, reminding me that the observation applies to all ideas, concepts, and values. When idea is universal, everyone understands. I have come to recognize and appreciated that seeing ideas through the lens of another, strengthen my ability to see it more clearly.
Great ideas understood are often simple to see once you embrace them. There may be complexity in the design, execution, and experience, yet the idea itself is simple. Google is a verb as well as someone’s dream. Compassion is a statement as well as an experience.
When something is good, it is often really good! Being aware and opening one’s self up to the possibilities that your audience is far bigger than you could ever realize is a good thing.
Even as I write, it is clear that each faith offers something universal. Christians bring compassion and unconditional forgiveness, Buddhist a sense of the eternal presence and the God within, Hindus the many faces of God in our lives, Islam gifts us with justice, and Atheists an enduring call to care for others. Brahma, “God! Let the cosmos praise your wonderful ways, the choir of holy angels sing anthems to your faithful ways!” (Psalm 89.5)
