The 3 or 4 or So Definitive Traits of Innovators
I really wanted this to come out as seven traits. Seven is the magic number for ‘definitive’ lists - seven days to create the world, seven wonders of world, seven habits of highly successful people, etc. I came up with three. Every time I tried to make it more, a new trait would invariably cluster around one of the three original. Then I came up with one that is probably a subtrait of Trait #1 but is important enough to call it out separately. So now I have four. I would like to add three, and that’s what comments are for so fire away. But for the time being, The 3 Or 4 Or So Definitive Traits of Innovators are:
1. Innovators Are Creative Thinkers
Innovators know how to get to the root of things by manupulating and challenging the problem at hand. Innovators know their creative styles and their own strengths and weaknesses. Innovators proliferate ideas. Innovators use creative thinking tools and techniques to change perspective and make novel connections. Innovators challenge assumptions. Innovators can come up with practical ideas, or wild and crazy ideas, depending on what’s needed. Innovators develop action plans to implement their ideas.
This trait defines the innovator’s relationship with self as an IMAGINEER.
2. Innovators Collaborate
Innovators share ideas with other creative people. Innovators learn from others. Innovators allow others to build upon their ideas, and build upon the ideas of others. Knowing the limits of their own creative styles, innovators seek others with complementary styles. Innovators operate in a collegial environment. Innovators value the perspective of those outside their discipline. Innovators play nice with others and find value in others’ thinking.
This trait defines the innovator’s relationship with others as a COLLEAGUE.
3. Innovators Think Positively
Innovators know there’s a time for idealism and a time for realism. Innovators assess their own ideas, and others’ ideas, on the positive aspects first and foremost. Innovators don’t eliminate or criticise ideas based on the negative aspects. Innovators know that all ideas have pros and cons, and seek to mitigate the cons to make ideas more useful. Innovators integrate ideas to mitigate cons. Innovators use the positive thinking process as a means of prioritizing solutions and actions.
This trait describes an innovator’s relationship with self and others as a PRAGMATIST.
4. Innovators Observe Things
Innovators are aware of the world in which they live - nature, industry, society, technology. Innovators see trends and technologies in other areas that can be applied to theirs. Innovators think laterally and adapt ideas from parallel worlds. Innovators maintain awareness of the past and present, and look to the future. Innovators see the Big Picture, yet respect the need for detailed action.
This trait defines the innovator’s relationship with the world as a SEER.
There you have it. What do you think is valuable? What do you think is missing? What should be different?
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[...] few weeks ago I described the traits of innovators. One of the four traits I described was positive thinking. Like creative thinking and [...]