WorldWide Drilling Resource

14 AUGUST 2018 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® The Un-Comfort Zone II by Robert Evans Wilson, Jr. Uncovering the Habits of Innovators I have found creative thinkers and innovators have a variety of habits in common, and I refer to this pattern of practices as the “Innovator’s Lifestyle”. There is a combination of aspects which coalesce into what we call an innovator; and those are technique, mindset, and lifestyle. Technique, however, is prob- ably the least of it, because once an innovator masters the technique, it comes as second nature. I don’t mean to disparage this skill or ability, because mastering it is key to being an innovator, and it isn’t easy. The technique is stimulating creativity on demand. There are many ways to go about doing this, but they all boil down to chang- ing your perspective - seeing and thinking of things in different ways. The second aspect of the innovator, is Mindset, which is a collection of traits beginning with the belief they are creative. It is this powerful self-efficacy which enables the innovator to continue to pursue creative endeavors despite rising risks and mounting failures. They simply believe they will eventually succeed. Another key characteristic of mindset: innovators are willing to take risks others are not. They regularly break rules and abandon the traditional ways of doing things. Perhaps the most important aspect of being an innovator is Lifestyle, but before I explain this, we should first consider what an Idea is, because innovators conceive and implement ideas. It is important to understand most ideas are not born anew, but instead are combinations of existing concepts. It's the connecting of two or more products, methods, notions, or principles, and then synthesizing those into something new to make an idea. The primary habit of the Innovator’s Lifestyle is to be routinely exposed to different viewpoints and new stimuli. Creative thinkers and inventors seek out new information and attempt to experience as many new things as possible. This is because the more diverse data you have in your brain, the more material you have for making new connections and combinations. The second most common inclination of innovators is to question authority or the status quo. In other words, they ask: “Why do we do things this way?” and “Is there a better way to do this?” Those two questions are the beginning of changing your perspective and seeing and thinking of things in a different or new way. Related to this is having a strong sense of curiosity. A third tendency is they unconsciously, and often compulsively, look to create new connections, make new combinations, or find new ways of doing things. Curious to see how my idea of the Innovator’s Lifestyle jived with others, I conducted an informal poll of innovators, asking this question: “As an innovator, what habits do you have (daily or otherwise) which you believe enhance your creative thinking ability and make you a better innovator?” Here are some of their responses: Innovation and creative thinking are all about solving problems or satisfying needs. At work we use terms like “putting out fires” when we're referring to sudden problems needing immediate resolution. We refer to people who are good at this as “Troubleshooters”, but what we really mean is they are creative thinkers and creative leaders. The fact of the matter is, we are all called upon to use our creative thinking every day in many little ways. It happens so often we don't even realize we're doing it. Think about it this way, if you had to reinvent all the little shortcuts you take every morning as you go through your routine of getting ready for work, you'd never make it out of the house. People don't realize how often they create tiny little improve- ments or efficiencies in all the tasks they do. We are constantly figuring out slightly better ways of doing things - especially things we do on a regular basis - which makes all of us innovators at heart. Robert Robert is an author, humorist, and innovation consultant. He works with companies that want to be more com- petitive and with people who want to think like innovators. For more information on Robert, visit www.jumpstartyourmeeting.com or contact him via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com Tim Stroh, innovator in Melbourne, Australia: “Read from a diversity of sources on a diversity of subjects.” Derek White, innovator in London: “I found an essential habit is to think out loud with others and not be afraid of appear- ing stupid. Your stupid questions may give them ideas or prompt them to question their own assumptions/thinking.” Venice Blue, creative strategist in San Francisco: “Daily meditation practice. An invaluable foundation for the work of in- novation, creative problem-solving, and empathy.” Robert Peacock, entrepreneur in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: “Journal, journal, journal!! I have made it a habit to journal my thoughts, favorite readings, reflections from conversations, etc. on a regular basis (often daily) and my journals are a resource that I go back to again and again when I need inspiration.” Adam Bostock, Innovation trainer in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, UK: “Research, research, research (every day if you can, or weekly).” Leonardo Comparsi de Oliveira, corporate innovation exec- utive in Porto Alegre, Brazil: “Actively listen to people, suspend judgement.” Mohammad Al-Baroudi, innovation consultant in Saudi Arabia: “I love puzzle games.” Océane Dorange, innovation facilitator in Tilburg, Netherlands: “I walk outside, I empty my agenda, I get inspired by art, I draw, I take notes, I take time to reflect, I don't judge the ideas I have.” Cate Brady, serial entrepreneur in Chicago: “Spending time looking at art and listening to music.” Zayna Khayat, future strategist in Toronto, Canada: “Read. A lot. Especially from unusual sources well outside my industry.” Risa Stein, PhD, Director, Rockhurst University Innovation Academy in Kansas City, Missouri: “I try to keep my ego and in- security in check enough to remain open and receptive to others.” Thomas Edison once famously declared, “I have not failed; I’ve just found 1000 ways that won't work.”