Today’s Imagination Hat honors the work of chemist and physicist Michael Faraday. Today is his Birthday (1791). What can we learn about the entrepreneurial journey from a physicist?

He is primarily known for his work in electricity, and discovering the connection between electricity and magnetism, resulting in the first primitive electric motor. To say that your life would be quite different without his discoveries is an understatement, and to list his achievements here would make this post way too long. Even if you do not remember him from grade school science, the fact that Einstein had a picture of Michael Faraday on his wall should at least cause you to stand up and take note.

The first take away from Mr. Faraday is follow your gift. Michael hated his job as a bookbinder. His heart was full of an unstoppable sense of wonder that could not be satisfied with the repetitive tasks of his laborious job. He did not give up on this calling, and we are all the better for it. Though you may think there is little difference, notice the pursuit is to “gift,” as opposed to “passion”. You can be passionate about a good many things that will never mean anything to anyone but you. Your gift however is what you were put on earth to do. Other people see you have this gift and even tell you about it. It was given to you for a reason. If you do not follow it and pursue it and use it, others will lose something.

The second take away from Mr. Faraday is never ever stop learning. Growing up in relative poverty, his father could not afford formal education for his son. Michael was primarily self-taught in his spare time after work, spending all his money to buy himself books. His innate sense of wonder did not allow him to become blinded by the existing knowledge base, and he strongly opposed existing authority if it didn’t support what he could see with this eyes. Because of his intellectual honesty, Faraday was able to see new things. He was the first to see how the forces of electricity and magnetism connect.  

Have you ever noticed how many corporate mission statements are self-centered? The third thing we can model from Faraday is his focus on others. He felt his work to be a part of a much bigger story than just to benefit himself. While others were eyeing his work and only for dollars and cents, Michael pursued his work to be a blessing to mankind and to share it with others. He had a deep desire to communicate what he had learned, and kept copious notes for the primary purpose of sharing his discoveries with other scientists. He gave continual lectures, even developing a series of lectures to introduce children to Science.

Wow! Who knew! A physicist is my new entrepreneurial hero!

That’s this week’s Imagination Hat!