DocAndersen
Inside the mind of innovators
· Desire to innovate
· The vision of what is possible
· Willingness to fail
Innovators aren’t different than other people. They often are other people. But they are different than everyone else. They are the person who is hit the edge of the curb at a drive-through window spills coffee on themselves and then creates a cup that can’t or won’t spill coffee all over them again. It’s the person who realizes that you can install a solar panel on your roof and reduce your electrical cost.
From a broad perspective they, the innovator, have a desire to innovate. They have a blended vision of what exists but also of what is possible, and in the end, they are willing to fail. From that vantage point of the blended view (what is and what could be) they embark on changing the system and in the end fixing the problem they perceive.
The stairway from what was to what could be is an intriguing path. The first thing, of course, is the reality of innovation. The neat and pristine stair steps shown above aren’t real. The path can at times shoot straight from what was to what could be. At times it does a looping action taking a step forward then a step back as the innovation evolves. Sometimes the initial problem goes away or is altered radically.
If we for a moment return to our theme “inside the mind” the stairway would appear differently to an innovator. They would use what was and is like a capability to be developed so that the problem could be solved and the new solution implemented.
Consider for a moment the evolution of cellular technology. The original CDMA phones were clunky, and the range was limited at best. That changed radically with the introduction of digital calls. The birth and growth of Smart Phones, in particular, the market-dominating Microsoft Pocket PC phone changed the way we used phones initially. The introduction of the game-changing iPhone modified more than simply the cellular market. Applications and music were cheap while hardware became expensive again. That shift ended the market dominance of the Microsoft solution and moved the world to the new Android and iOS market reality.
Steve Job’s once said the reason the iPhone succeeded is that it took something that had been hard and made it simple and elegant. The innovator is the person who sees simple and elegant regardless of the complexity in the world around them.
They are, to quote Mr. Jobs from his famous commercial[1] “The crazy ones.”
[1] Iconic Apple Computer TV commercial “The Crazy Ones”
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Question of
Do you remember the Apple commerical 1984?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Do you remember the Apple Commericial “the crazy ones?”
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Do you have a great idea?
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Yes
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No
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Certainly I am one of the recipients of many modern innovations. Yet sometimes I feel that every innovation moves us forward and backward both at the same time. Think for example the innovation of plastic products which now gives us environmental problem. And the innovation of cellphones which now keeps us connected and disconnected. And the innovation of antibiotics which is now posing bigger problem.
I wonder that as well. We fight ever to eradicate disease, but then people starve. We remove predators and end up with too many animals.
We need an AI to help us!
AI like the ones working in FB? Then God help us ???
Occasional Enforced Pixie vacations may color your thinking of the value of the FB AI. But that wasn’t my goal. I was more interested in a structured AI that has access to the seismic, oceanographic and other sensors to build a map of what will happen next.
Actually writing online every day and trying to make a buck calls for innovation. You always have to be clever enough to make your writing stand out and be completely different from the rest.
I think that is what most people don’t shoot for, being themselves!
I agree that anyone can be an innovator, at least have innovative ideas.
Btw, some of the innovator characteristics are clearly look in you.
I try, thank you, Albert!. I would say the same of you, that you see the world through the eyes of innovation.
I often include the subject of innovation in the training I design, and your innovation series adds and enriches my material. Thank you very much.
well I grant you full and free license!
That is the generosity that I greatly admire!
Innovators are special people for me … I have the feeling that they are living in another world … and I think that you have to have this innovation in yourself … it can not be learned
They are, anyone can innovate, but sometimes you have to be lucky for others to find out about what you created!
It is very difficult for innovators to be very difficult … we are too small and no innovation is paid for us, so we are leaving abroad
i think that is very much an issue for many innovators. Not all great ideas are in China, the US or other large economies.
how about your matryoshka roof?
It failed comrade. No one wishes a stacked roof made from discarded Russian nesting dolls.
that’s what comes of bogartting the vodka
I have most of my good ideas with either vodka, scotch or Tequilla involved. 🙂
it helps you relax and cast a wider net. but I also have most of my bad ideas when liquor is involved, so…
I have a really good friend that always says, first drink put your phone in your pocket. Second drink hand your keys to the bartender. third drink, make sure you understand why you are drinking.
sounds like your friend is quite wise
I have lots of ideas and sometimes they work. Yes, I am the type of person who will spill coffee on myself or have little accidents.
I hope I don’t have too many accidents
Hey it happens! Innovation can be risky!
Maybe I’m wrong, but I do not think anyone can be an innovator. I say that man is already born with this ?
I agree with you. The only thing that makes most people unable to become or realize the dream is circumstance!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful article. I agree with those things inside the mind of an innovator. And I consider myself to be one.
That is awesome – I cannot wait to see what you create!
I do remember this iconic commercial in 1984 for some reason.
Love that tree in your yard. Dogwood perhaps?
I really loved the 1984 commercial! (It was our Bradford Pear).