The Art of Innovation: Bridging the Gap between Art and Science

Recently, I stumbled upon an article that suggested that the innovation process should be perceived less as art and more as science. This notion took me aback. I've always believed that innovation is more an art than science. It's more about creativity and envisioning the impossible than merely following a set formula. And yet, I see businesses fail time and time again as they attempt to confine innovation to rigid rules and business models.?

"True innovation goes beyond mere business and science; it's an art form in itself."

Consider this - when organizations set short-term monetary KPIs for innovation, they are effectively sidelining disruptive innovations. Such groundbreaking developments often require time, sometimes years, to show a genuine return on investment. And yet, KPIs remain one of the significant challenges for many in executive roles, especially in defining them.

Let's take a moment to think about Leonardo Da Vinci, arguably the greatest innovator of all time. Wasn't he an artist first and foremost? Wasn't it his artistic nature that made him a true innovator? Our world is churning out countless new ideas, processes, and theories. Yet, we lack the foundational understanding behind them. We need to learn from history, from what worked in the past, and what didn't.

Look at Tesla today. Its market valuation surpasses the combined valuation of all other car manufacturers. This edge is thanks to its innovative processes. Yet, how many are truly emulating Tesla's methods? Most of the current Fortune 500 companies were once startups. They emerged and reached their current stature through innovative means. There are clear signs that the market dynamics have shifted. But businesses are struggling to keep up and adapt to these new realities.

"Innovation is creativity. It's about thinking outside the box and seeing things differently."

Business has always intrigued me for its paradoxical nature. Take Google, for instance. They offer 99% of their services for free and earn from the remaining 1%. Two decades ago, if someone had suggested a business model like this, I would have dismissed it. Yet, today, we have other examples like Facebook and WhatsApp that offer free services and have grown exponentially based on this very model. Then came the likes of Airbnb and Uber, capitalizing on ordinary people as their workforce. It goes against the very basic rules of business.

This is where art comes in. Where creativity, lateral thinking, and breaking free from traditional boundaries play a pivotal role. But then, science is a tool that supports art. Da Vinci was a master at this. His creativity led him to explore the world in numerous ways. He probably constantly questioned his ideas and looked at them from various perspectives. He then used his scientific knowledge to make his visions a reality.

"We must grasp the essence of innovation. If we work in innovation, we must understand its basics."

We need to understand what has genuinely succeeded in the market, where the market is heading, and not just follow buzzwords or the prevalent innovation jargon. If we keep following others, we will end up nowhere. True innovation lies in understanding its core, and it's high time we recognize it.