If you want to kill any idea in the world, get a committee working on it

If you want to kill any idea in the world, get a committee working on it

Charles Kettering, an American inventor, engineer, and businessman, is often credited with the quote, "If you want to kill any idea in the world, get a committee working on it." This statement reflects Kettering's belief in the dangers of groupthink and the stifling effect that committees can have on innovation and progress.

Kettering was a pioneer in the field of automotive engineering, having worked for General Motors and inventing the electric starter for automobiles. He understood the importance of individual creativity and the need for bold, innovative thinking in order to drive progress. Kettering believed that committees, with their tendency towards compromise and consensus-building, could often water down or completely derail potentially groundbreaking ideas.