"Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow." ~ William Pollard
The above quote is perfect for fast growing companies and quick moving teams. I occasionally wonder if I
I often discover that entrepreneurs are busy growing companies and that they seem to feel personally responsible for facilitating innovation, which is entirely different from actually coming up with the grand concepts that have created unique new business models, processes, services, and products.
So, what makes innovators different? According to studies of identical twins separated at birth, our ability to think creatively comes one-third from genetics so innovators are not just born that way. Two-thirds of the innovation skill set comes through learning.
According to a six-year study conducted by Harvard Business Review authors, there are five habits that reveal the underpinnings of creative thinking. These five habits are embraced by innovators such as Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com, Herb Kelleher of Southwest Airlines and Peter Thiel of PayPal.
The Top 5 Habits of Innovators are:
Leaders Educate to Innovate
Studies show that you can learn innovation by embracing the unique habits of well-known innovators. Here is how you can get your team started with innovation habits today within the structure of your annual, quarterly, monthly, or specific issue meeting.
Next, you determining the complete steps needed to implement a solution by asking how. Our regular blog readers will know that we recommend a strategy of the five whys: asking why five times to get to the root. In the case of innovation, you should use the five hows. Ask how? How? Ask five times to highlight solutions that will provide the greatest benefit when implemented.
The potential solution is analyzed repeatedly by asking the question “How?” until a complete picture of the
At Rhythm Systems, we promise simple approaches, yet that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. The continual repetition of the “how” question can become tedious unless the participants work in a relaxed atmosphere. That’s your responsibility. Create the right atmosphere and a systematic process or format of keeping track of the information.
Try This Format
Write the solution to be analyzed, centered vertically on the left-hand side of the flipchart or whiteboard.
Adapting the top five habits of innovators, and educating your team, will boost your level of innovation. And what motivates innovators? According to one study, innovators actively desire to change the status quo, and they regularly take risks to make change happen. So, what are you waiting for? Don’t speculate when you can innovate!