The Idea vs. Execution Debate: Why Ideas Are Everything Leonardo da Vinci never stopped exploring and challenging conventional wisdom. And neither should you.

"Ideas, my dear, are a dime a dozen. Execution is not. Execution is the thing—it is rare and it is revered. The idea is not. There are many ideas and far fewer successful executions."

So sayeth the wise and bloviating, some would call seasoned CEO, speaking in a half-baked English accent one morning over salty eggs and exceedingly strong conference coffee.

First things first: Do not call me "dear" or "kiddo" or anything other than my name—especially over salty eggs. It makes me cranky.