Many of my clients know, I get bored doing just one thing. So, as multipotentialites my husband and I run multiple businesses.
I want to share with you how I am working to be remarkably different in this world. I believe one should be walking the walk, not just talking.
by Jennifer Thompson, ambassador for Deviant Thinking
As I look around the internet, I am often bombarded with articles on innovation. Most of them start with a tagline like this one. Often, they discuss how a company should innovate. There is typically a check list of ways that companies can foster innovation. Make time, form cross-functional teams, support risk taking, etc. One thing that I feel is always missing is:
What do I mean by this? Well, all ideas have to start somewhere. If individuals are not comfortable sharing ideas, they will never let you know what they are thinking. You are probably guilty of holding back on ideas yourself. How many times have you been asked to contribute to help solve a problem? The people newest in our organization often are willing to share ideas. But, what do we do? We usually tell them that we tried that before, or that won’t work. In other words, we train our teams to not share new and innovative ideas.
“Creativity is an act of defiance. You’re challenging the status quo. You’re questioning accepted truths and principles. You’re asking three universal questions that mock conventional wisdom: Why do I have to obey the rules? Why can’t I be different? Why can’t I do it my way? These are impulses that guide all creative people whether they admit it or not. Every act of creation is also and act of destruction or abandonment. Something has to be cast aside to make way for the new.” ― Twyla TharpHow foolish are we being????? We are stopping innovation in its track every day! How do we really foster innovation? We need to let ideas live and breathe. We need to support those who are daring enough to share new thoughts. We need to encourage trying something new and different. When someone offers a new idea, don’t ask “why do you think that will work?” This puts them on the defensive and shuts down their idea, instead ask, “ What will make it work?” Try this small change just once and see what answer you will get. That will truly foster innovation.
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