Walt and Steve.
I've been reading a lot about Steve Jobs and realized that there are many interesting parallels between his approach and those of Walt Disney. You may say that this is a abstract comparison, but hear me out, I'd like to make a point or two which are keys to the success of both individuals.
They were curious and never stopped learning and improving things. They are continual innovators. They saw what things could be, even if it was not in their line of business. I love this story of Steve Jobs buying a trampoline and how he could not resist telling the installer how it could be improved. Walt was the same way.
They ventured beyond their safety zone. They all told Walt he could not build an amusement park, they also told Steve Jobs he didn't know anything about retail stores. They both listened to what others may say, but still went their own way and took risks that reinvented both genres.
Walt didn't "settle" and neither did Jobs. They want it the way they want it and had to lead their respective industries by being the benchmark of quality AND creativity. Cost restrained their execution but not their thinking.
They dreamt big. Jobs laid out a multi year vision for social change and the devices fulfill that vision, Walt prototyped a theme park as a footstool to a new urban plan.
Care to add any more comparisons?
