You don’t have to be Steve Jobs to innovate
Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash
Innovation sounds cool. It sounds like something a dynamic leader would do during a pandemic to create the new normal and change the world. We all want to be that leader. But innovation can feel elusive. It can seem reliant on certainty of the future like that gained from looking into a crystal ball. Deep down we have visions of Steve Jobs on stage unveiling the iPhone and think “there is no way I can change the world like that!” You may not be sure you have the right team, the right resources, or event the right organization to innovate.
We have been indoctrinated to associate innovation only with the rich and famous. This is similar to thinking of soccer only as the World Cup final. Soccer happens all over the world from the stadium, to the local park, to the family get together, to a five year old kicking around in the back yard. Similarly innovation happens at many levels. We all have the propensity to innovate! Don’t pressure yourself to do something earthshaking. Simply set yourself up to be creative. Here are a few insights that might be helpful as you explore what’s next for your work.
Set a Mindset - Grow a Culture
Our mindset (pattern of thinking) is central to all we accomplish. Mindset is revealed in the words we speak to ourselves and others. When encountering difficulties do we say “I can’t” or do we ask “how can I?” How do we view failure? Do we punish it in others? Take it personally and avoiding it at all costs? Or do we see it as a necessary tool for learning and success? Your mindset is the perspective you shape for yourself and others around you. Try these two things to shape your mindset:
1) Dedicate your self to continuous education. Set aside time (however small) every day to continue to expand your perspective of what’s possible by absorbing the best content you can find.
2) Intentionally associate with people who think bigger than you do. Mentors, friends, and team members who think bigger than you do are a powerful influences that can spark creativity and expand your thinking.
Innovation is often credited to a leader but let’s be honest, any mature leader knows they do their best work with a team. A great mindset will spill over to you team and become a cultural norm. A way that you and your team think together. Continual improvement, testing, and taking risk are norms for innovative teams. Seek to foster this sort of culture around you and you will find that innovation comes to you.
Innovation on a Spectrum
Similar to how we think of rock star innovators as the only ones who can innovate, we tend to think that deep innovation is the only meaningful type of innovation. I’d encourage us to think of innovation on a spectrum from shallow to deep. Shallow innovation has lower risk and reward and is more in the territory of revamping. This may in the territory of a program redesign, adapting new technology to deliver a similar result, etc. Deeper innovation has higher risk and reward and can signal a change in paradigm. This may manifest itself in reworking your theory of change and finding new ways to accomplish your mission. Depending on your situation and your goals, you may need different types of innovation in this moment. In the chart below, you can see some examples across the spectrum of innovation.
Context Matters
Whenever there is innovation copycats emerge quickly. While sharing ideas and riding industry developments are part of progress, innovation is rarely accomplished by simply chasing the creativity of others. Too many times useless trends emerge because we apply others insights to our context without taking the time to contextualize ideas. To innovate we must keep our eye on our mission and goals and creatively pave a new path. Innovation does not always transplant well. Your contest is made up of your beneficiaries, team, personal leadership style, and more and all should play a role in whats next for you.
In conclusion, to innovate is human. It is not something reserved for a special class. Be true to your work, free yourself to be creative, and honestly look at the challenges ahead with your goals and mission in mind. Then adapt a positive mindset that assumes you will succeed and is on a quest for HOW. Last, remember your team. Creativity and innovation are best done together. Go find your future work!
