As I’ve studied those who really made a difference with their many innovations, what struck me most was their broad range of knowledge and experiences in many areas. Leonardo Da Vinci was an artist, scientist and creator. Albert Einstein played the violin at an expert level while coming up with unique theories in physics. Benjamin Franklin was a publisher, scientist, statesman, inventor and more. Thomas Edison was a businessman and inventor.
The problem with the majority of experts who really know their stuff is their inability to innovate. Hence, the drawback of the deep expert. We see this in many fields, including medicine. The more you know about a particular subject, the less you’re able to see possibilities of the “what if.”
Back during my copywriting days I would focus on increasing my broad knowledge and know-how in order to write better copy. If all I did was to read and study copywriting courses and marketing books, my skills could never reach a higher level. We can only see as far as what we know. And if all we know is just one area, then we’ll never expand beyond it. And in the area of innovation, it takes the ability to see across a broad spectrum to come up with specific and new ideas.
This is a reason why it disturbs me when I see HR people advertising for positions that require applicants to have years of experience in their particular industry and in their particular skill-set. Businesses like these will never have the ability to grow and come up with new ideas. Kodak was “stuck in the box” in this way and became a non-factor when digital cameras became the norm. Whole industries disappear because of the same reasoning.
Businesses that want to grow should bring in a fresh set of eyes from other industries. When Henry Ford wanted to build a better automobile that the masses could afford, he looked at the food industry and their conveyor system in packaging. He applied it to building cars. Prior to that, automobiles were built one car at a time.
How can you become a better innovator? Here are several keys to get you started:
- Read outside your industry. That includes magazines. Heck, I have even delved into women’s magazines.
- Take classes in things unrelated to what you do. If you’re a scientist, then maybe learning a musical instrument may be the thing. Or how about a dance class, an art class and so forth… If you’re an artist or another type of creative, then learn something from science.
- Engage in the art of play. Playing helps to unleash that fun side. In turn, it helps to expand how your brain sees things and not be afraid to delve into new ideas.
- Get yourself fit. Fitness is important for a fully functioning brain. You’ll also have a better connection to your motor neurons in physical expression.
- Associate with people outside your industry or expertise. If all you’ve done was to hang out with others who have the same kind of thinking, you’ll stay that way. Hang with self-made millionaire entrepreneurs. They are among the best in innovative thinking (and wealth building).
Practice on a regular basis some or all of these ideas and put what you learn into practice as well. That includes how you can come up with new ideas within your industry. If you do that, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a top innovator.
“When all think alike, then no one is thinking.” -Walter Lippmann
“If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got.” -Albert Einstein
“If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old” -Peter F. Drucker
“It’s not about breaking the rules. It is about abandoning the concept of rules altogether.” -Paul Lemberg
Cheers,
Bob
America’s #1 Mind-Body Transformation Expert and author of Mind Your Own Fitness
