Genius Margins

Genius Margins

Pre-Consensus Advantage

Why solving your own problems creates more value than following trends

Noah Zender's avatar
Noah Zender
Jul 20, 2025
∙ Paid

Everyone wants to be early to the next big thing.

The instinct, though, is to wait for proof. For validation. For consensus.

“Show me it works first, then I’ll invest time.”

“I’ll wait until the best practices emerge, then I’ll learn.”

“I’ll let others figure it out, then I’ll copy what works.”

Safe strategy. Terrible opportunity.

By the time everyone sees it, it’s too late.

It’s like betting on a favored horse offering poor betting odds. You only win 30 cents on the dollar.

When there’s consensus, you’re not early. You’re late.

The real opportunity isn't in following proven playbooks. It's in building capabilities while everyone else is still arguing about whether it matters.

When Necessity Becomes Opportunity

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