If you want to be successful at innovation in companies today you have to involve everybody!
That is one of the strongest quotes that I take away from Sir Ken Robinson’s keynote that I attended in Toronto today. Michael Dila of Torch Partnership invited me to this event and I’m glad I accepted.
Sir Ken is an authority in the field of creativity and innovation. In his talks he shows how we are taught to become uncreative throughout our educational systems. We have practically lost our ability to be creative by the time we arrive as so-called “knowledge workers” in companies … In essence, this means that we don’t have a creativity crisis in companies, but a structural crisis. Our educational system and our companies lack the structures it takes to make creativity flourish throughout our organizations.
“saying that not all people can be creative is like saying that not all people can be literate”
I could not agree more. That is also one of the reasons I think we have such difficulties to achieve business model innovation. We believe only the “creatives” can come up with new and maybe disruptive ideas. However, inventing innovative business models requires co-creation and diverse teams from all hierarchical levels, divisions, age and gender groups. Everybody’s creativity within an organization should contribute to strengthening and renewing the business model!
Taste a sample of Sir Ken’s amazing ability to entertain while addressing a highly important issue:
Sorry if this post does not seem fully cooked and ready to serve. I have several hours of travel behind me, but absolutely wanted to write about this inspiring event I attended…
… rest assured I do love me steak half-done, Alex
Here here!
If Raw Food is so great for health, so is writting.
Couldn’t agree more Ralf.
Keep speaking and posting you truth, even if it feels “too raw”!
All the best,
David (from Porto)
Dear Alex,
I was browsing through your website and exploring your thoughts on Creativity and Innovation. I enjoyed reading several of your blogs and I felt that your ideas on Innovation were quite insightful. I am an Innovation Research Assistant at The DeSai Group- a consulting firm that focuses on the domains of Strategy-Driven Innovation™, Leadership, Learning and Execution capabilities for continuous growth and optimal business results. Feel free to visit us at http://www.desai.com
I would like to take the liberty to welcome you to our “Community of Friends” at the DeSai Group. We look forward to inviting you in on-going research and collaborative conversations in the future.
I look forward to hearing back from you.
Best Regards,
Yauhan Mehta
Innovation Research Assistant
ymehta@desai.com / (860)-233-0011 x818
The DeSai Group: http://www.desai.com
Blog & Downloads: http://www.strategydriveninnovation.com
Interesting ideas… I recently read Scott Berkun’s book “The Myths of Innovation,” which indicates basically the same thing: that anyone can be creative under the right circumstances. I think this is true, but it is important to consider that every person has different strengths and abilities. The popular book “strengthfinder 2.0″ lists thirty-something odd strengths, only a handful of which imply creativity as a core competency.