“Qualities of an Innovator”

By MITCHELL DITKOFF

If you want to spark innovation, forget about slick formulas for a minute and pay attention to what’s happening on the inside.

The word “innovate” can be traced all the way back to 1440. It comes from the Middle French word “innovacyon” meaning “renewal” or “new way of doing things”. Exactly what innovations actually happened in 1440 (rounder oxcart wheels?) is anybody’s guess, but whatever they were, it’s likely they improved the quality of life for more than a few people.

These days, the “innovation thing” is something of a no-brainer. Indeed, it seems that any company worth its low-salt lunch has identified innovation as a core competency worth developing. Who in his right mind (or is it right brain?) can deny the value of improving things? Isn’t this what human beings – those grand inventors of the microchip and the chocolate chip – are supposed to do?

True. But who has time? And so begins the search for the magic pill

Unfortunately, innovation, unlike audits or reengineering, is not given to formulas. It is given to people – restless, inspired, fascinated individuals with an almost cellular need for change. And while it can be supported by systems, it can never be reduced to systems. “Innovation”, as Tom Peters so aptly put it, “is a messy business”.

If you want to spark innovation, forget about slick formulas for a minute and pay attention to what’s happening on the inside. Because that’s where it starts. With the innovator – the inspired individual who sees a better way and goes for it. And the key to the innovator? The special blend of inner qualities that allows him or her to succeed when others have long since gone home. Tools? Techniques? Five-step models? Sure, they’re useful. But, without the user of them having the right stuff, they’re merely decoration – not unlike having a new set of jumper cables, but no car.

So... if you are one of the self-chosen few willing to stop blaming your organisation and start taking personal responsibility for innovating, here’s a list of qualities that describe innovators:

Challenges status quo – dissatisfied with current reality, questions authority and routine and confronts assumptions.

Curious – actively explores the environment, investigates new possibilities, and honours the sense of awe and wonder.

Self-motivated – responds to deep inner needs, proactively initiates new projects, intrinsically rewarded for efforts.

Visionary – highly imaginative, maintains a future orientation, thinks in mental pictures.

Entertains the fantastic – conjures outrageous scenarios, sees possibilities within the seemingly impossible, honours dreams and daydreams.

Takes risks – goes beyond the comfort zone, experimental and non- conforming, courageously willing to “fail”.

Peripatetic – changes work environments as needed; wanders, walks or travels to inspire fresh thinking; given to movement and interaction.

Playful/humorous – appreciates incongruities and surprise, able to appear foolish and child-like, laughs easily and often.

Self-accepting – withholds compulsive criticism of their own ideas, understands “perfection is the enemy of the good”, unattached to “looking good” in the eyes of others.

Flexible/adaptive – open to serendipity and change, able to adjust “game plan” as needed, entertains multiple ideas and solutions.

Makes new connections – sees relationships between seemingly disconnected elements, synthesises odd combinations, distills unusual ideas down to their underlying principles.

Reflective – incubates on problems and challenges; seeks out states of immersion; ponders, muses and contemplates.

Recognises (and re-cognises) patterns – perceptive and discriminating, notices organising principles and trends, sees (and challenges) the “Big Picture”.

Tolerates ambiguity – comfortable with chaos, able to entertain paradox, doesn’t settle for the first “right idea”.

Committed to learning – continually seeks knowledge, synthesises new input quickly, balances information gathering and action.

Balances intuition and analysis – alternates between divergent and convergent thinking; entertains hunches before analysing them; trusts their gut, uses their head.

Situationally collaborative – balances rugged individualism with political savvy, open to coaching and support, rallies organisational support as needed.

Formally articulate – communicates ideas effectively, translates abstract concepts into meaningful language, creates prototypes with ease.

Resilient – bounces back from disappointment, learns quickly from feedback, willing to “try, try again”.

Persevering – hardworking and persistent, champions new ideas with tenacity, committed to follow-through and bottom-line results.

Some of these traits may be easy for you while others are more difficult. That’s normal... even if you weren’t “born” with some of these traits, you can develop them. Perhaps even more importantly, you can help create an environment where these traits can flourish.

Mitch Ditkoff is the co-founder and president of Idea Champions, an innovation consulting and training company headquartered in Woodstock, NY. He is also the author of the popular Heart of Innovation blog, the award winning business fable, Awake at the Wheel and is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post. Additionally, he is a much sought after keynote speaker on a variety of innovation-themed topics. Related Stories:
How To Innovate Like A Shark
You’re never too old to learn
What is Blue Ocean Strategy?
Even Old Men Need to Keep Growing…
Leader E.Q.