How do you define innovation? Here are 5 characteristics that should be part of your definition.
Jim Woodell
Ecosystem Builder, Network Weaver, Systems Convener. Higher ed and community, economic, workforce transformation. Boundaryless collaboration for the Venn economy, at intersections of talent, innovation, and place.
Innovation may be one of the most overused words of the last five decades.
We are awash in innovation, and people and organizations everywhere are striving to be innovative. But there doesn't appear to be a lot of agreement on just what innovation is. Definitions include a variety of characteristics including creativity, value creation, and more.
Here are five qualities that are in my definition of engagement, and I think it would be valuable for you to consider these characteristics, too, when assessing innovation.
Useful
Many definitions of innovation stop at creativity. Innovation is different from the creative or inventive act because it moves the creative idea into useful action.
Problem-Solving
My definition of innovation focuses on a particular form of utility—problem-solving. Innovations (noun) should solve problems, and the act of innovation (verb) should engage us in problem-solving.
Resilient
In a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world, innovations and innovating must help us to build resilience.
Human-Centered
If it is not focused on the needs and desires of the people whom are the intended beneficiaries of the innovation, it is not innovative.
Inclusive
Perhaps most importantly, innovation must engage the intended beneficiaries in the design and delivery. Both innovation (verb) and innovations (noun) must be broadly accessible.
What do you think? What's in your definition of innovation?
Rebooting Democracy, Rebuilding America, Networking the Civil Body Politic of the Internet Age Since 1992.
2 年Not sure I agree with the last two. A lot of innovation is system centric - which is only indirectly human centric. As to inclusive. Sometimes it's better to just do something, put it out there, and see who bites. It's all too easy to slide into gridlock by committee, dominated by naysayers.