Innovation is an inside job
How to run effective and innovative hack weeks
The “tortured genius” is a creative cliché.
Books, films and pop culture tell us that innovation only comes from wrestling, alone, with a big idea or problem.
The startup version of this narrative involves a product genius who spends weeks in isolation, creating a Homeland-style pinboard of notes and images.
Finally, their office door creaks open. Smoke pours out and the haggard-looking visionary emerges clutching the new specs:
“Here’s what we’re going to do!”
The designers work for a while (ignoring most of those specs), then hand a prototype over to the developers. Months later, a thin and watered-down product is done.
It’s fine. Everyone shrugs and says “we did what we could.”
Sound familiar? This working style is also called the waterfall model — and as you probably guessed, I don’t think it’s effective.
I’m a firm believer in agile product development. More importantly, I believe that your team can be your best source of innovation.
If you’re tackling a creative challenge, don’t isolate yourself or your key people. Instead, get everyone involved and engaged in the…
