- Edison built teams from diverse disciplines. The team that invented the lightbulb included chemists, mathmeticians and glassblowers.
- The inventor learned from his mistakes. After state and local governments rejected his electronic vote recorder, Edison decided to focus exclusively on consumer products.
- Edison's vision kept the teams on track. When team members floundered or disagreed, the boss quickly intervened, deciding the course.
- Edison changed direction with the market. Other inventors of the day ignored the fact that consumers wanted products powered by electricity—and failed.
