One foot inside the box, One foot outside the box: Innovation with constraints

I used to be the person who always talked about “thinking outside the box” and still believe this is a key component of innovative thinking, but after watching the following Ted Talk I started understanding the true essence of innovative thought is “thinking with one foot outside the box and one foot inside the box”. Even before COVID – 19 we worked in a world with constraints that include, capital, human resources, time, priorities, etc, but now with COVID – 19 constraints are even more a part of everyday life. 

We can all solve problems by spending resources, but let’s think about how to solve problems by leveraging our constraints. Remember innovation doesn’t have to be a $1,000,000 idea or a moon shot, innovation can be: small; replicated from a success in another industry; something that was tried (and failed) in the past; or process focused (it doesn’t have to have a tech solution).

My key components to innovation:

1. The idea: this is the easiest part of innovation
2. Persistence: when it comes to innovation and people say "no" to an idea they really mean they need / want to "know" more.  People will always take the path of least resistance so stick to your guns and keep explaining your position, transfer your passion about the idea.
3. Execution: plan, communicate, deliver
4. Iteration: you do not need to deliver perfection, but listen and modify and enhance. Just because you delivered does not mean you are done. Learn fast (some people say fail fast, but I like learn fast)

Along with the book “The Innovators Dilemma”, this Ted Talk is one of the most influential in the way I think about innovation and I hope you enjoy it too.