There’s clearly a sub-theme running through social media content I track (now that the brainstorming doesn't work theme has died down a bit) saying if you’re not pissing someone off, you’re not innovating or doing anything remarkable. And there are certainly social media stars who have built public personalities around the concept that the strongest differentiation comes from the lone wolf visionary innovating in ways status quo lovers will hate.
While I get the social media attraction of the message that pissing off status quo-oriented people represents innovation, I am never going to be there strategically. It is just not in my DNA, or if it ever were, it has been consciously unwound and left by the wayside somewhere along my business career.
Instead, the foundation shaping my personal view of business brainstorming and innovation success is at the other end of the strategy spectrum. In fact, the saying that best sums it up is actually a Bible verse (which has probably never appeared in popular social media channels) that is on my mind particularly today.
Innovation Based on Participation, Brainstorming, and Sound Strategy
I have lectored at 6:30 a.m. mass nearly every Tuesday for perhaps twelve years. Every two years on this Tuesday (during the 32nd week of the liturgical year), my favorite business-oriented bible verse is part of the first reading at mass. It is from the letter to Titus (Chapter 2: 7-8):
“Show(ing) yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be criticized, so that the opponent will be put to shame without anything bad to say about us.”
As I said before, basing your approach to innovating on this Bible verse from the letter to Titus is definitely the opposite of demonstrating your innovative nature by telling social media followers to forget brainstorming and concentrate on pissing piss off people!
Innovation Success through Creating Attraction
For me, the height of innovation success comes through demonstrating a sound strategy, making a compelling logic-based case, or successfully appealing to another’s emotions. When you create such an attractive strategic alternative that even those who initially disagreed with your innovative perspective (perhaps out of fear of innovation) have no choice but to embrace it.
This isn't about people pleasing.
It's about creating something that people WANT to be a part of because they see the connection between where they are now and the opportunity of the new innovation - even if the connection pulls them far away from where they are right now.
The possibility of creating innovation that is clearly different than the status quo, developed through brainstorming and ideas from a variety of people, and makes all the sense in the world for people to embrace?
That is what the innovation The Brainzooming Group helps organizations achieve is all about.
Maybe that point of view doesn't generate as much social media buzz, but if THAT innovative approach sounds attractive to you, let’s work together to make it happen. - Mike Brown
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If you’re struggling to create or sustain innovation success, The Brainzooming Group can be the strategic catalyst you need. We will apply our strategic thinking, brainstorming, and implementation tools to help you create greater innovation success. Email us at info@brainzooming.com or call 816-509-5320 to learn how we can help you figure out how to work around innovation and implementation challenges.
