Strengths based Approach for Innovation

Innovation requires attacking problems in a different manner. The problem itself might be a new one. It is natural to think that we are not upto the task. How you decide to proceed determines your journey as an innovator.

You could choose to double down on what has worked or spend time on what can be better.

The latter focuses on what is not there today. It can be skills, thinking, experience, resources and so on. A crucial determination is who develops the missing pieces.

This development costs time and can trap you in low level problems.

Anything new has a learning curve. In the journey to ramp up skills, we may find interesting areas that may be distractions. Worse is getting enamored by what we think is a new approach only to learn that it's not. That is our lack of experience in the new domain. Ultimately it adds cost and time.

Consider a strengths based approach to innovation.

You've developed skills and experience in certain areas. If you're proficient in some domain, it means you can spot opportunities and pitfalls better than others. Bringing those to the table maximizes your impact.

Pair with other domain experts where you have gaps.

Their knowledge will cover the areas which can be better. Tag teaming helps address problems with different lenses. A team will have a more rounded perspective to crack opportunities. Each expert also learns from the other thereby building skills. Overall, this is a more efficient approach.

In innovation, like life, it helps to focus on your strengths.

That's it for today.

Happy Ideating!

Hemang.