Bringing Your Breakthrough Ideas to Life: Lessons from Successful Innovators
Innovation is messy. It rarely follows a straight line, and breakthrough ideas often face resistance before they succeed. But what separates ideas that change the world from those that never get off the ground?
A recent Harvard Business Review (HBR) article, Bringing Your Breakthrough Ideas to Life, explores this challenge and highlights key insights from successful innovators. Let’s dive into some of these insights and see how you can apply them to your own ideas.
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A Story of Innovation: From Groundwater Crisis to Edible Cutlery
In 2003, environmental researcher Narayana Peesapaty noticed something alarming in Hyderabad, India—groundwater levels were dropping rapidly. The usual suspects, such as low rainfall, weren’t to blame. Instead, he discovered a shift in farming practices: farmers had abandoned millet, a low-water crop, in favour of rice, which requires 60 times more water.
Despite trying to influence government policy, Peesapaty made little progress. So, he took a different approach—boosting millet demand by turning it into edible cutlery. After a decade of persistence, his idea gained traction. A viral video and two successful crowdfunding campaigns helped launch his product, demonstrating that sometimes, the best way to solve a problem is not by conforming to existing systems but by thinking outside the box.
Why Do Some Innovative Ideas Fail?
According to business thinker Gary Hamel, companies are flooded with ideas, but most fall into one of two categories: incremental no-brainers or flaky no-hopers. The problem isn’t a lack of ideas—it’s how we approach innovation.
The HBR article highlights three common weaknesses in traditional innovation frameworks:
1. They’re too linear. Many companies use rigid stage-gate processes, which work well for incremental improvements but fail when tackling groundbreaking ideas. Innovation isn’t a straight path—it often moves forwards, backwards, and sideways before finding success.
2. They overlook how people actually develop ideas. Lean methodologies emphasise rapid iteration, but research from Adam Grant at Wharton suggests that “strategic procrastination” and deep reflection are just as important for radical innovation.
3. They gloss over execution challenges. Many companies recognise the need for disruptive thinking but fail to follow through. Take Sony’s e-reader—it was a technical marvel, but Sony didn’t partner with publishers. Amazon, on the other hand, ensured Kindle was backed by the book industry, making it a household name.
A Better Framework for Breakthrough Innovation
So, how do you bring a breakthrough idea to life? The HBR article proposes a five-step framework to help navigate the messy process of innovation.
1. Look Through a Fresh Lens
We all have biases based on our experiences, which can prevent us from spotting new opportunities.
For example, Nivea discovered that when people discussed deodorants online, they weren’t talking about fragrance or effectiveness—they were complaining about stains on their clothes. This unexpected insight led to the development of anti-stain deodorants, which became Nivea’s most successful product launch in its 130-year history.
2. Step Back to Expand Your Understanding
Many of us rush to solve problems before fully understanding them. Instead of jumping to conclusions, take a step back, switch activities, and allow alternative solutions to emerge.
3. Look for Unexpected Combinations
Established companies often lose their innovative edge. Xerox, once a leader in photocopying, became complacent, allowing competitors to surpass them.
To avoid stagnation, ask questions like: What if we stopped doing things the way we always have? The McLaren Group, known for Formula One racing, realised that their expertise in aerodynamics and predictive analysis had applications beyond racing. Today, McLaren is a technology and consulting company that just happens to own an F1 team.
4. Test Smarter to Learn Faster
Once you have a prototype, test it quickly and be open to feedback—both good and bad. Avoid confirmation bias and the sunk cost fallacy, which can prevent you from making necessary adjustments.
Early-stage prototypes don’t need to be perfect. Sometimes, simple “Frankenstein models” can reveal more valuable insights than polished products. The goal is to learn, not to impress.
5. Navigate Internal and External Resistance
Even great ideas can be killed by internal politics or poor messaging.
Take Steve Sasson, the Kodak engineer who invented the digital camera. He called it “filmless technology,” but because Kodak’s business was built on film, the company failed to embrace the innovation. Similarly, when entrepreneur Jonathan Ledgard introduced drones as a solution for Africa’s transportation challenges, he avoided the word “drone,” which sounded menacing, and instead called them “flying donkeys”—a friendlier and more acceptable term.
If you want your ideas to succeed, ensure they align with your organisation’s goals and resonate with your target audience.
Turning Ideas into Impact
Innovation isn’t just about having great ideas—it’s about executing them effectively. The best innovators embrace uncertainty, refine their ideas based on real-world feedback, and remain adaptable in the face of setbacks.
As you work on your breakthrough idea, ask yourself: Am I thinking beyond traditional frameworks? Am I listening to feedback—even when it’s negative? Am I presenting my idea in a way that people will embrace? By doing so, you’ll increase your chances of bringing your vision to life.
If you have questions about how you can bring your breakthrough idea to life and want to chat. Please use this link to set up a 30-minute call with me.
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What’s your biggest challenge when developing new ideas? Share your thoughts in the comments!