Nikola Tesla is being regarded as one of the greatest inventors in human history. Born in the village of Smiljan, in the then Austrian Empire (which is now in Croatia) on 10th July 1856, he took US citizenship in 1891 and was a US citizen till his demise on 7th January 1943 at Hotel New Yorker, in New York.
In his lifetime, the great inventor filed more than 300 patents and is most renowned for his seminal contributions to the design of alternating current electric supply systems. As per the Department of Energy of the US government, Tesla is credited with inventing, predicting, or significantly contributing to the advancement of numerous technologies that have become integral parts of our daily lives. These include the remote control, neon and fluorescent lights, wireless transmission, computers, smartphones, laser beams, x-rays, robotics, and, notably, alternating current, which forms the foundation of our modern electrical infrastructure
In fact, this list shows that without Tesla’s genius, we couldn’t imagine our postmodern world.
Table of Contents
Being Innovative and Courageous
From Tesla, we as professionals can get inspired to become innovative and think out of the box, which are often the necessities for triumphing in this highly competitive and fast-paced business climate.
Tesla not only had the genius but also the courage to present concepts that were much ahead of his time. He was not even hesitant to counter the opposition of the pioneering inventor Edison, who was the proponent of direct current electricity, to introduce an alternate current-driven system, which eventually the world adopted because of ACs’ much better efficiency.
According to information provided on the US Department of Energy website, the war of currents pitted alternating current (AC), championed by Tesla, against direct current (DC), which was favored by Edison, in a battle for widespread acceptance. The foundation of the entire nation’s electrical system was in question. Edison initiated a campaign against AC, alleging its potential danger and lethality; in response, Tesla publicly exposed himself to 250,000-volt shocks to prove the safety of AC Ultimately, alternating current won the fight.
We should also develop the courage to propose ideas even if they are initially considered absurd, even if we have to stand alone in the crowd, even if we are fervently opposed. Only the faith and sound logic behind our convictions should propel this courage. By doing so, we can develop the potential to eventually help improve our lives and careers and contribute to the betterment of society.
Ideas for the Future
Tesla’s idea for exploring renewable energy sources in the 1890s was way ahead of his time, and the importance of renewable energy didn’t get its due recognition in his lifetime. But today, renewable energy is being considered an integral part of the planet’s future.
Like Tesla, as professionals, we shouldn’t be deterred if our concepts or ideas don’t get their due recognition in the short term; if we have strength in our concepts or ideas, they will eventually thrive, perhaps much after we leave the organization where we have proposed the given concept/s or idea/s. They may not benefit us but may benefit other personnel in the organization, and that should be satisfactory enough for us.
Enrichment through Knowledge
Though most of us are not endowed with even a small fraction of his unimaginable brain power, we can easily be inspired by Tesla’s inspiring life lessons, which are also often reflected in his quotes, to improve our lives and careers.
One of his famous quotes is: “It is paradoxical yet true to say that the more we know, the more ignorant we become in the absolute sense, for it is only through enlightenment that we become conscious of our limitations. One of the most gratifying results of intellectual evolution is the continuous opening up of new and greater prospects.”
This quote should enlighten us that acquiring knowledge shouldn’t develop conceit but instead make us more conscious of our limitations. At the same time, the great quote also encourages us to open up new worlds and prospects through intellectual exploration, which has the potential to enrich and benefit us and others eventually.
Understanding Each Other
Another famous quote by Tesla is: “What we now want is closer contact and better understanding between individuals and communities all over the earth, and the elimination of egoism and pride, which is always prone to plunge the world into primeval barbarism and strife… Peace can only come as a natural consequence of universal enlightenment…”
From this quote, we can decipher the invaluable importance of mutual understanding and the elimination of ego and pride. Mutual understanding and sensitivity have the potential to propel us and our organization higher. On the other hand, perpetual pandering to ego and pride can lead to not only the downfall of individuals but also of giant corporations.
The Power of Solitude
Another of Tesla’s famous quotes implies the immense role of solitude in producing great work. It reads: “Be alone, that is the secret of invention; be alone, that is when ideas are born.”
This quote should induce us to search for our own solitude amidst all the crowds and noise in our lives. By being alone, we can let our thoughts flow undisturbed by the clutter of inane conversations, which eventually can help us arrive at that long-due elusive solution, idea, or concept needed for the growth of ourselves or our organization.
