I love the advice to "be caring," and I do think it's very helpful in business — maybe even a "superpower," whatever that is. But I also think having taste is a skill that can be developed just like caring is a skill. Taste comes from thinking, researching, and experimenting. It's not something you're born with like blue eyes. It's something you cultivate, something you develop, like a good backhand. We have natural limits to both caring and having taste that come from who knows where - education? environment? genetics? But taste is no more set by destiny then our capacity to care. They are, in a way, the same thing. Each is about making choices and assigning priorities.
I hear what you're saying, Tom. But that's not how taste is widely communicated. It's often positioned as a "secret ingredient", "mark of the artist", or "je ne sais quoi". And in popular culture many people talk about it as if you have it or you don't.
Also, I'd argue that caring drives us to more immediate and clear action (go talk to someone). Building taste through thinking and researching can lead to a more passive approach and less clear outcomes-- how do you know if your taste is improving?
I love the advice to "be caring," and I do think it's very helpful in business — maybe even a "superpower," whatever that is. But I also think having taste is a skill that can be developed just like caring is a skill. Taste comes from thinking, researching, and experimenting. It's not something you're born with like blue eyes. It's something you cultivate, something you develop, like a good backhand. We have natural limits to both caring and having taste that come from who knows where - education? environment? genetics? But taste is no more set by destiny then our capacity to care. They are, in a way, the same thing. Each is about making choices and assigning priorities.
I hear what you're saying, Tom. But that's not how taste is widely communicated. It's often positioned as a "secret ingredient", "mark of the artist", or "je ne sais quoi". And in popular culture many people talk about it as if you have it or you don't.
Also, I'd argue that caring drives us to more immediate and clear action (go talk to someone). Building taste through thinking and researching can lead to a more passive approach and less clear outcomes-- how do you know if your taste is improving?