Episode 10: How masterpieces are born?: The principle of strategic deletion

This is the tenth and the last principle from the book "Exceptional or nothing".Apply Strategic Selection Through DeletionIn the pursuit of excellence, exceptional individuals across various fields—from artists to musicians, writers to designers—achieve greatness not merely through prolific output, but through the art of strategic selection. This process involves meticulously curating their work to present only the finest creations, adhering to high personal and professional standards. Steve Jobs transformed Apple by simplifying its product line, focusing on quality over quantity. His approach emphasized the importance of saying 'no' to many things to achieve excellence. Former GE,  CEO Jack Welch’s strategy was focused on dominating industries by being either #1 or #2, which required a clear focus and the boldness to discontinue less successful ventures. The tenth principle of exceptionalism is to apply strategic selection through deletion.The process of strategic selection is akin to editing in various fields. Whether it’s a comedian refining their script for maximum impact or a filmmaker editing footage, the goal is to strip away the unnecessary and highlight the essential.This process is about subtracting the superfluous to reveal the core of excellence. This is illustrated by examples such as Steve Jobs’ vision for a button-free iPhone and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s notion that "perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." In essence, the art of strategic selection teaches us that achieving excellence often involves a rigorous process of refinement and deletion. By focusing on what truly matters and discarding the rest, we can present our very best to the world, ensuring our work stands the test of time.