Innovation — Nature or Nurture?

When I was a kid, the term ‘Innovation’ to me was building some cool machinery. I always thought that is not my thing. Does that mean I am not one of that lucky few who inherently got innovation into them?

Organizations are more and more talking about building a culture of innovation. If innovativeness is a personal trait of one or two, then how these organizations are going to sustain the culture of innovation they build. It will fade away with the individuals.

Thus for individuals like me, throwing away the misconceptions they have about innovation will be very accommodating to become a part of the organizational culture.

Myth 1: Innovation happens in a R&D lab with a set of creative masterminds

This is not true. Innovation should not only be considered as some marvelous thing produced in a lab with the brains of a few geeks. If not so, when and where innovation is happening?

From R&D to human resources, customer service to financial operations, success relies on a constant evaluation of creativity — it’s everyone’s job, all the time.

Looking at the old problems from new angles and finding new solutions is a fair definition for innovation. So it’s day to day business. Everyone can contribute as they can, to whatever they do, within a culture of innovation. Being a creative mind may help in being innovative, but for others also, self -practicing within a supportive process may help in generating new ideas.

Myth 2 — Innovation cannot be won without technology

Most market disruptions rest on innovative business models — new ways to create, capture, or deliver value.

Even though technology is a boosting factor for disruption, it can be a pure mind adventure without the involvement of technology as well. A small idea may change everything, giving the highest benefit against the cost.

Freedom for experimenting can fuel the innovation engine of a business. Piloting new ideas can showcase their results in advance and help the innovator to improve them through iterations.

Myth 3 — Innovation is random

Innovation is a discipline — it can be measured and managed.

Innovation is a human condition which should be observed and properly managed. It’s not something which is inherent to a lucky few through their genes. It’s a way of thinking which can be fostered in any human being. Building the right environment, where the employees are not reluctant to brush up their thinking is the foundation to build the culture of innovation.

Myth 4 — Innovation should be big

To win big, one should start small. This is correct most of the times. Innovation doesn’t necessarily mean big ideas or big markets. It can be a small step, opening path to dozens of new winning points. A powerful innovation may not be targeting big markets, but it may be creating the need for a new market.

Myth 5 — Innovation is a thing of startups

It is believed that game changing innovations are mainly done by startups and entrepreneurs. But it is not true. A stable industry player, who already has successful models in place, can try out their luck by experimenting with game changing innovations.

It’s just how strong their culture of innovation is.

Throwing away the above myths, will be of great help, for an individual who is struggling to join their organization’s innovation process and for any organization who is willing to build a collaborative culture of innovation with their employees.

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