EVERYTHING ELSE
These quotes from military geniuses both fictional and real contain disturbingly prescient event production advice.
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
Whether we re talking light shows and stage design, or hordes of undisciplined German tribesman performing flanking maneuvers against 20,000 seasoned legionnaires, surprise is part of the wow-factor. Bring a little extra game that no one saw coming.
In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
Man, this Tzu guy is full of good ideas. I think in this case, he s talking about setting the enemy s horses loose so you can pounce while everyone s in disarray or something, but I prefer to read this as being willing to use problems (even disastrous ones) as an opening to lock down your procedures and processes. Did something go wrong? After the immediate fire has been put out, use this chance to survey the key players to hunt down the source of the problem and mercilessly implement preventative procedures. Your future projects will be happier for it.
I need you to be clever, Bean. I need you to think of solutions to problems we haven t seen yet. I want you to try things that no one has ever tried because they re absolutely stupid.
Orson Scott Card, Ender s Game
Surround yourself with a team dedicated to staying scrappy, staying curious, and staying hands-on.
A pint of sweat, saves a gallon of blood.
George S. Patton
Mostly your blood. Which you kinda need. Do your homework and groundwork.
