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Separating the Excellent from the Great

Les Demoiselles d'Avignon
Les Demoiselles d’Avignon by Pablo Picasso

Karen McGrane, author of “Content Strategy for Mobile,” recently wrote an interesting A List Apart post about the difference between work that is good and work that is great.

Both groups focus on getting the details, large and small, absolutely right. But the great also express their personal values in the work, and try to avoid simply fulfilling other people’s visions.

What elevates someone’s work from “technically excellent” to “truly great” is the extent to which you feel like you’re seeing them live their truth, be fully themselves.

Instead of using an example from art, music, or writing, McGrane uses an example from event-planning — illustrating that “greatness” isn’t necessarily an exclusively creative act. She believes that being great is synonymous with having courage, discounting others’ expectations and being willing to fail. It is about being vulnerable.

Worth pondering.

via A List Apart

Filed Under: Digital Journalism, Digital Management

Charlie Rogers Charlie Rogers

Chief content officer, editor-in-chief, managing editor, launch manager, and product strategist on dozens of digital ventures, for companies including NBC, Conde Nast, Time Warner, Martha Stewart and Random House.
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