Abrasion is Necessary for Progression

Why abrasion is important

It takes a saw to cut wood.

It takes sandpaper to smooth out the bodywork on a car.

Abrasion is necessary for progression, but this is counter-intuitive in the business world. When people are abrasive, we often see it as a negative quality. And it can be, if it’s used incorrectly or disrespectfully.

However, when used properly, abrasiveness can be used to make things better – much better.

Abrasiveness in the business world

Some of the world’s most successful business people have been notoriously abrasive and difficult to work with – at least from the lore that surrounds them.

Steve Jobs was abrasive. Bill Gates, while at Microsoft, was abrasive. Elon Musk is known to be abrasive.

Although abrasiveness in the business world is frowned upon, it’s often necessary. Like everything in life, abrasiveness needs to be balanced and exercised respectfully.

When everyone agrees, there’s no abrasion

If everyone always agrees, then there’s no abrasion in a decision making process. In order for ideas and assumptions to be challenged, it requires abrasion. With that said, abrasion can help to cut things up, smooth things out, and make them better – when used thoughtfully and strategically.

From start to finish, you need rough grit & fine grit

It takes rough grit (a saw) to start a job, and fine grit (sandpaper) to finish a job. As such, you need adaptive-abrasiveness with any job, any product, or any startup to make it better over time. With the right level of abrasion, at the right time, things will progress and improve.