A recent New Yorker cartoon portrayed several businessmen in dark suits sitting around a conference table. The caption read: “Sounds good. We’ll just have to run it by the Hawaiian Shirts.” Humorous, yet true. Increasingly, businesses of all kinds are defined not only by what they produce, but also by how they think. And that thinking had better be innovative.
...creative thinking isn’t just the domain of designers. It’s essential for everyone, from management to the mailroom.
Creatives, like designers, writers, illustrators, and photographers, have always been found in many industries, albeit safely contained in their own cubicles. Today, however, creative thinking isn’t just the domain of designers. It’s essential for everyone, from management to the mailroom.
Fuzzy Thinking?
The term “innovation mindset” may seem like a subjective and fuzzy concept, especially for those from the worlds of accounting and quality control. However, the innovation mindset can be defined, and its principles taught and practiced, with tangible benefits for left and right-brainers alike.
Think of the innovation mindset as a worldview for an alternate universe. In this new innovative world, natural laws do not apply—there are no boxes, and glasses are always half full.
The innovation mindset must transcend cubicles and silos, touching each activity, including management, editorial, customer relations, and production.
No Boxes, and Glasses Half-full
The innovation mindset is characterized by a welcoming attitude towards change, the creation of new resources from existing ones, and lots of collaboration.
Think of the innovation mindset as a worldview for an alternate universe. In this new innovative world, natural laws do not apply—there are no boxes, and glasses are always half full.
