I think the real secret in our innovation doc**ent is that there aren't really 33 distinct secrets from 3-4 different experts, but a few core messages distilled from like-minded, inspiring leaders. We learn that:
We need to listen to the people with whom we're innovating, and observe and respect the cultures of those people before we can inspire true innovation -- as a start, but more importantly, to sustain... (Teach a man to fish....)
For example, Paul Polak cites lots of stats that we know about our
affluent 'customers,' (10% of the world)....yet we know comparably few stats about the rest of our potential 'customers.' A bit odd and materialistic maybe, to choose 'customer' versus 'partner,' but his point is made.
We might actually discover more to innovate from by working within our constraints, and not yearning materials that are just not (yet) within our reach. This is not the same as accepting our limitations; rather, it is seeing the things, skills, talents, ideas we have now in a different light, and re-purposing them to what we need. Then move on from there. You can still think big. Just don't harp on what you don't have; don't think you need to have X-object before you can get something you really need and want. Build from what you have to create something we've never seen.
As Ethan Zuckerman writes in our mission doc**ent, "What you have matters more than what you lack."
A primary path to innovation is about turning existing reality into new, shared realities -- simply by changing perspective. See the 'same old thing' in a new light, then share that discovery with someone. For example, "if you want to do things 10 times cheaper, remove 90 percent of the material." Pretty crazy, maybe impractical initially, but what if we tried to look at a problem that way first...?
As I read, I thought (probably not new, but I'll share it here anyway) I realized: Innovative people, or those people who are responsible for inspiring change, often have such similar ideas about how to effect change. We need to listen to the people with whom we're trying to innovate; we need to work from their culture; we need to change our perspectives as often and as much as possible -- think from different angles, turn arguments upside down for a moment; we need to start positively with what we have and know we can move beyond it; we need to stay positive.
They come to similar conclusions, albeit with slightly different words...They must be on to something about life and humanity if they are reaching common conclusions... What if we could pool their energies by connecting them?
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