Think Like Grace Hopper

Grace Hopper was an American computer scientist and U.S. Navy rear admiral who made significant contributions to computer science. Here are a few things we can learn from her approach to problem-solving and thinking:

1. Pragmatism and Practicality: Grace Hopper was a pragmatist. She believed that theories are useful but putting them into practice is what really counts. Her work on developing the first compiler—a program that translates human-friendly programming languages into machine code—demonstrated her commitment to practicality.

2. Making Things User-Friendly: Hopper was instrumental in the development of COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language), one of the earliest high-level programming languages. She advocated for making technology accessible and understandable to ordinary people, which continues to be a valuable lesson for technology developers today.

3. Continuous Learning and Adaptability: Throughout her life, Hopper was a continuous learner. Even after her retirement, she remained actively involved in the field of computer science, lecturing and sharing her experiences. This highlights the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in problem-solving and in the ever-evolving field of technology.

4. Fearless Innovation: Hopper was not afraid to challenge the status quo. She famously said, “The most dangerous phrase in the language is ‘We’ve always done it this way.’” This teaches us to be open-minded, to question established methods, and to not be afraid of pioneering new approaches.

5. Leadership and Mentorship: Hopper was also known for her leadership and her commitment to nurturing new talent. She understood that solving complex problems is a team effort and requires the mentorship of new minds.

Her principles remind us of the importance of practical solutions, user-friendly technology, continuous learning, fearless innovation, and the power of effective leadership.