Innovation's Hidden Gems: Discovering ALL Value In Our Results??

Ask yourself, do you remember a time when you discovered or unlocked some unexpected value as a result of a test or experiment you and your team were working on? I think we all can, and when I look back, many different examples come to mind.

One of the primary reasons I was first drawn into Technology, can be summed up in two words - change, and evolution. Technology is the path to innovation and change, but it's often unpredictable and full of twists and turns. As technologists, entrepreneurs, engineers, and thinkers, none of us are strangers to the process of experimentation, many trials and errors. Yet, we often overlook the residual value that is hidden in all our results, and whether it's expected or not.

Embracing the Unexpected

Take, for example, the development of a new software application. Suppose an engineering team recently embarked on an ambitious new project, armed with a hypothesis and a set of predictions. However, as they progressed, and started testing with feedback loops, the results were not what we had anticipated. Instead of viewing this as a setback, the team instead saw it as an opportunity to explore several new avenues. This simple, but profound shift in perspective often leads us to uncover patterns and behaviors that perhaps we wouldn't have considered prior. These shifts, patterns, and behaviors are what help to pave new paths forward.

Continuous Learning is Key

The true value and goal of experimentation isn't always in confirming our hypotheses; it's simply in what we learn on the journey of getting there. It's about understanding the why, what, where, and how behind those unexpected results and then using that knowledge to help refine our approach as we go forward.

Fostering a Culture of Curiosity

Creating a culture that embraces this mindset is crucial for teams, and not just that it's okay, but that is part of the DNA of the team and encouraged. Teams need a sense of safety and a culture that empowers individuals to think outside the box and approach challenges with more of a solution-oriented mindset.

As we keep navigating the ever-evolving, near-endless, and intricate world of technology, remember to pay close attention to all the results, the impacts, and the outcomes, and not just the successes. Each experiment or test holds valuable insights, we just need to make sure we are always looking for those hidden gems of innovation. This is the stuff that propels us, and our teams forward toward the new groundbreaking discoveries and other advancements.

I invite you to share your experiences, the unexpected results, and the value you found in them.