Creativity and innovation have long been considered important competencies in organisations. Numerous studies show this, but understanding how to become more innovative remains a major challenge for most businesses around the world.
When we go deeper into the subject, we notice there’s a lot of information on how to construct a more innovative organisation. Less is said about how each individual can become more innovative. This imbalance should be addressed, because innovative organisations are made of innovative individuals.
The best way to build an innovative organisation is by cultivating innovation within each individual.
How can an individual start to become more innovative? By training her mindset.
Mindset = (Thoughts + Values + Beliefs)
We can define “mindset” as the lens through which people see and interpret the world. Innovators have a distinct mindset, so they perceive the world in a different way.
But what is the innovator’s mindset? And how can it be developed? While most people perceive the world in three dimensions, innovators see the world in four dimensions. Let’s explore each one.
The 4 Dimensions of the Innovator’s Mindset
1. Pragmatic Optimism
“The pessimist is, first and foremost, a tramp. Being optimistic is hard work.”— Mario Sergio Cortella, Brazilian philosopher
Many people who call themselves “pessimists” or “sceptics” are not actually sceptical. They suffer from a fear of failure. They choose the comfort of intellectual pessimism and prefer to be a critic. The critic plays a necessary and important function. However, this role cannot be adopted by the same person who wants to be innovative.
To be innovative, it is necessary, first of all, to create. You need to create and let the world judge your work.
When the innovator also assumes the role of the critic, she reduces her capacity to create. Self-criticism and negativity can kill creativity.
Innovators are essentially optimists, but not the ones who remain only within the world of ideas. They act at the intersection between optimism and pragmatism.
Innovators understand that it is necessary to believe to see. They believe in what does not yet exist. They see what most do not see. And because they are also pragmatic, they can bring this to reality.
Achieving practical results is fundamental, since waiting to see creates a competitive disadvantage. Infamous cases including Kodak, Blockbuster and Toys “R” Us have already demonstrated the harsh reality for companies who are slow to respond to new contexts and unable to innovate.
2. Growth
Based on research into learning led by Carol Dweck of Stanford University, the concept of growth mindset shows that any skill or competence can be developed through disciplined practice. Innovation is no different: first, we must first understand that it is a competence that can be developed, and then practiced daily.
One of the most important steps to becoming a more innovative person is to be willing to innovate yourself. This disposition is one of the main characteristics of the “growth mindset”, an essential attribute of innovators. It differs from the “fixed mindset” in the following aspects:
3. Diversity
Nature teaches us that diversity strengthens life. It also strengthens innovation. But when we think of diversity, we need to understand the concept itself in a broad and diverse way.
Innovators value and cultivate diversity in all its aspects:
“When everyone thinks the same way, no one is thinking.”
— Walter Lippmann
Creativity involves connecting diverse points. But in order make these connections, it is first necessary to have a range of different points that are ready to be connected when the time is right. It is necessary to build this repertoire. Living a diverse life, in all aspects, is a great way to develop this.
4. Openness to Risk
The fourth and final dimension of the innovator’s mindset is the willingness to take risks.
“There is no free lunch”. There is no gain or innovation without risk.
Innovators learn that they must cope with error, experimenting in a controlled way to take smart risks. They understand that long-term gains and learning will compensate for possible short-term losses.
A good way to cope with risk is to cultivate an internal and external environment where errors can be discussed openly and naturally.
Psychological Safety is extremely important for innovation. However, it is worth noting that safety is different from comfort. Having the courage to take a risk, living constantly in search of the “stretch zone” instead of the comfort zone, is an essential characteristic of innovators.
“God will not have his work made manifest by cowards.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Every great innovation requires courage. Easier said than done, of course, but it’s the only way.
Practise, Practise, Practise
Innovation is democratic, a competence available to all. Being more innovative is not a final destination, it’s a daily exercise. It requires disciplined practice. But its benefits are limitless.
So, why not?
It’s your mindset. It’s up to you.
| by Murilo Bueno, Mandalah São Paulo.
