A Question of Time…The new innovator’s dilemma

In this issue: A Question of Time…The new innovator’s dilemma/ ‘You can’t say that!’: how to argue, better/ Future cities: How the pandemic is driving us to build the metropolises of tomorrow / The Lighter Side of Innovation

Why you’re getting this:

I'm Andrea J. Miller and this is my “On Leading Well” Newsletter. I send this to people in my networks, people I’ve met recently, and friends I want to keep in touch with. You can unsubscribe (SEE THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE EMAIL) anytime, I won’t be offended.

A Question of Time…The new innovator’s dilemma

This isn’t the post I intended to write.

I’d planned to look at the unexplored benefits of collaborative learning (I promise, it’s much more interesting than it sounds).

But, in the process of drafting it, I remembered something I’d heard from people I recently coached as part of a Leadership Program, several told me, ”I don’t have time to attend the classes.”

At that moment I realized there was a different story that needed to be shared…how can people and companies excel, let alone stay relevant when they don’t even have the time to learn?

The S-curve of Learning

Disruptive innovation doesn’t take place in an instant, it happens over time.

Even those breakthroughs that seem to happen in a Eureka moment! the truth is that they are actually the product of years, possibly decades of learning, thinking, and connecting patterns.

The progress of an S curve begins slowly.

Then, as the knowledge and ideas accumulate, it speeds up -- that’s when the great ideas strike, and innovation most often occurs.

However, unless we remain curious and continue to learn and develop new ideas creativity can stagnate.

This is when the growth slows and may even come to a screeching halt. It’s also when companies start to lose market share.

This is why some of the most innovative and successful people in history are life-long learners.

It’s no coincidence that Elon Musk read 10 hours a day as a child.

Or, that Bill Gates reads a book a week.

And, that the most infamous reader, Warren Buffet, spends as much as 6 hours a day reading.

Creativity and innovation can be learned, in fact, I’d argue that it’s a product of learning … as well as mindset.

It requires time, effort, and intentionality.

The era of moving fast and breaking things is over (seriously, I read it in HBR, so it must be true :).

If innovation is to survive into the 21st century it will take a different lens and unique inputs into our operating systems.

So if companies and their people want to succeed in our current, rapidly changing reality they will have to prioritize learning, growth, and connection.

Ideas aren’t formed in isolation.

They are a product of our diverse, shared, cumulative wisdom.

This is one of the reasons why collaborative learning programs are so important…

You’ll just have to read my next article to find out the other reasons why…and until then, stay curious.

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RECOMMENDED LISTENS, READS

‘You can’t say that!’: how to argue, better

“In our polarised world, a productive disagreement is a rare occurrence. Research shows that the average person would rather talk to a stranger who shares their political views than a friend who doesn’t.”

Future cities: How the pandemic is driving us to build the metropolises of tomorrow

The world’s cities are changing. Paris’s Champs-Élysées, one of the most gridlocked roads in the world, is going to become a giant garden. Barcelona has closed off its oldest quarters to cars. And now Milan is on the path to becoming the world’s first 15-minute city (read on to find out what that means).

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The Lighter Side of Innovation

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Are there any other subjects you want me to cover? Have Questions? Or, Need a Coach … Hit “Reply” and tell me!

I love hearing from you :)!

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Andrea J. Miller

+1 (646) 556-5401 (Whatsapp)