We all talk about wanting more innovation in our companies. Leaders invest in fancy innovation labs, run brainstorming workshops, and plaster inspirational quotes about “thinking different” on office walls. Yet, despite all this enthusiasm, truly innovative ideas still struggle to take root in many organizations.
Category Archives: Creativity
Asking Bigger Questions: The Gateway to True Innovation
In the pursuit of innovation, we often focus on finding better answers. But what if the key isn’t better answers, but better questions?
Leadership Lessons from Lincoln: Building a Team of Rivals
Ever wonder how Abraham Lincoln managed to lead during America’s darkest hour? I’ve been reading Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals,” and let me tell you, this book is packed with leadership gold.
Rise of the Resistance: Innovation Lessons from Disney’s Immersive Experience
I had the pleasure of returning to Disneyland with my family this Easter Sunday. My sister and I took our parents, who hadn’t visited the park in six years, which meant they were in for some incredible surprises with the newer attractions. The one experience I was most excited to share with them was Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
The Objective is Not Innovation. It’s a Transformed Customer.
In the business world, innovation is often the golden idol. Companies pour billions into R&D, host flashy innovation summits, and reward “newness” with headlines and hype. But here’s a truth that doesn’t get enough airtime:
Analogy For A Culture of Innovation: Don’t Just Be A Lightbulb, But Also Be The Provider of Electricity
You know that cartoon moment when a character gets a brilliant idea and a lightbulb appears over their head? That’s how we often think about innovation: sudden flashes of genius that change everything.
The Curiosity Gap: Why Some Leaders Miss Breakthrough Ideas
You might be missing breakthroughs. Here’s why…
A few years ago, I managed operations for my father’s screen-printing business. We faced a persistent challenge: lead times. Clients called weekly, anxiously asking if we could deliver on time. Rather than seeing this as merely frustrating, I recognized an opportunity for improvement.