What are the top ways to cultivate an innovative mindset in your career?

1) Don't consider having a career but see work and projects as goals to accomplish 2) Surround yourself with people smarter than you. This will keep you insecure and make you think more innovatively about everything 3) Find a partner or friend that will support you through the difficult mental and financial times. They are going to come and it's worth it!

I make it a point to seek out inspiration from places that aren't the usual go-to. I read books outside my field, attend webinars across different disciplines, and chat with people from diverse backgrounds. It's like piecing together a patchwork quilt of ideas—each different pattern sparks a new avenue of thought.

In my experience, CULTURE is the starting point: whether people perceive a culture favorable to innovation, they naturally tend to encourage innovation and to push others to do so. In my experience this means, for example, an internal communication campaign which gives value and visibility to innovation results. This also means internal structured process which will provide visibility at any level to best ideas, eventually allowing to get access to rewarding plans. Depending on this, people will not only expose themselves to interactions that could generate innovative and brilliant ideas, but will also promote an innovative thinking with their stakeholders.

Diversificar as fontes de inspiração é como treinar seu cérebro para construir pontes entre conceitos aparentemente desconexos, fortalecendo sua capacidade de pensamento criativo. Isso não apenas enriquece sua compreensão do mundo, mas também potencializa a habilidade de gerar soluções inovadoras, ao estimular a formação de novas conexões neurais.

In the spirit of Gary Vaynerchuk and Seth Godin, let’s break the mold and seek inspiration far beyond our comfort zones. It’s about tapping into the unexpected, exploring the fringes of industries, and cross-pollinating ideas. This eclectic approach not only fuels creativity but also challenges the status quo, pushing us towards truly novel solutions. Remember, innovation often lives at the intersection of diverse thoughts and disciplines.

We all have our own set of assumptions and biases—it's human nature. I challenge mine by actively seeking viewpoints that contradict my own. It's a bit like mental gymnastics, bending and flexing my brain to consider new perspectives.

By acknowledging our cognitive biases and being open to rethinking our beliefs, we open doors to new perspectives and possibilities. Cultivate a mindset that constantly questions and reevaluates; read the works of Daniel Kahneman or Adam Grant. It’s not just about what we think, but how we think. This approach is crucial in an era where adaptability and agility are more than just buzzwords but essential traits for innovative leaders.

Interaction with others means to me provide a safe environment, that rationale can be tested and challenged. Only then, further development can happen for the sake of individual progress and adaption.

Além de desafiar suas próprias suposições e preconceitos, uma estratégia eficaz para cultivar uma mentalidade inovadora é promover um ambiente de aprendizado contínuo e experimentação em sua carreira. Isso pode envolver dedicar tempo regularmente para explorar novas ideias, testar abordagens não convencionais e aprender com os resultados, mesmo que sejam fracassos. Ao adotar uma atitude de curiosidade e resiliência diante dos desafios, você pode expandir seus horizontes, descobrir novas oportunidades e impulsionar a inovação em seu caminho profissional.

Este ponto é fundamental. É um erro muito comum ver profissionais seguindo um playbook de inovação e indo a campo ou exposto à diferentes pontos de vistas com a ideia de validar a sua ideia ou suas suposições. Além de sair da zona de conforto, é preciso estar realmente aberto para absorver todo aprendizado que está prática traz.

I see every task as an experiment. Not everything works out, and that's okay. Each 'failure' is a lesson in disguise. It's like being a scientist; every outcome, good or bad, teaches me something new.

maybe if we switch the term to "learn from testing" and "test fast" giving us a clear and speedy idea of success or failure and improving further in either scenarios

Let's highlight the significance of learning from failures in a business innovation context: - 🌟 Every failure is a stepping stone to success. - 👍 Embrace failure to uncover new learning paths. - 💡 Failures illuminate what we often miss in success. - 🚀 Use them to propel your ideas further. - 🔍 Analyze failure to prevent future mishaps. - 🔄 Iterate fast after failure to perfect your craft. - 🛠 Treat failures as a toolkit for innovation. So, don't fear failure; welcome it with open arms! 🤗💼📈

A failure is always an opportunity to learn. Successful entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk understand the value that setting realistic expectations and being able to quickly move forwards from a failure are key to overall success.

Experimenting and learning is not only important for innovation projects, but also for strategies. Whether political, financial or technological changes have an impact on strategies. Honestly, who hasn't experienced the 2-day strategy workshop that is no longer useful after 6 months? That is why it is important to test new ideas for strategies quickly before making an investment or realizing after 6 months that the strategic option cannot be activated. Small quick experiments and learnings, as well as regular exchange help to quickly adapt strategy choices to environmental influences.

Two (or more) heads are often better than one. I collaborate and co-create with my colleagues, knowing that the fusion of our different skills and ideas can lead to something truly special.

Foresight workshop is an excellent way to promote discussion and the creation of ideas. It provides a safe and open environment where future possibilities can be discussed. Also, diverse perspectives encourage participants to think more creatively.

Diverse teams bring different perspectives, experiences and ideas to the table, which can boost innovation. Make sure your team includes members from different backgrounds and that all voices are heard and valued. Enabling collaboration across company boundaries also brings new perspectives. For example, working with start-ups or people who work in the same industry with different methods can broaden horizons and lead to new solutions.

La co-creación es sin duda una estrategia (no solo herramienta) super potente, sobre todo por que busca diferentes puntos de vista para entender y resolver tu problema de innovación... y aquí una reflexión sobre la co-creación con clientes. Evita transformar esta estrategia en un evento, donde solo invitas a tus clientes para que den su opinión, los observas como "objeto de estudio", recoges tus datos y luego ... adios!... Tip: La co-creación es una estrategia, es un mindset y forma parte de la cultura de innovación.

Collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and perspectives to generate new ideas and insights. Encourage open communication, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional collaboration to leverage collective intelligence and creativity.

Feedback is the breakfast of champions. I actively seek it out, not just as a pat on the back but as constructive input. It's like having a personal coach pointing out where I can improve my game.

I love watching Elon Musk take entrepreneurial risks. Flying rockets to learn, and only ‘hoping’ they’ll land, knowing full well the cost of an explosion and a rebuild. I’m also a fierce advocate of Eric Ries’ thoughts on innovation accounting. Look for (and account for) the indicators leading you to success. Don’t wait for the balance sheet to tell you 3 months too late. It’s about adopting a ‘trial and learn’ mindset, where failures are not setbacks but stepping stones to innovation. This approach encourages calculated risks, quick iterations, and real-world feedback. Remember, the most groundbreaking innovations often come from a series of small, incremental improvements, not just sudden flashes of genius.

360-Degree Feedback: Embrace feedback from peers, mentors, managers, and customers to gain diverse perspectives, refining ideas and performance. Strategic Tools: Utilize strategic tools like SWOT analysis, SMART goals, and OKRs for structured self-assessment, enhancing clarity and goal-oriented growth. Iterative Improvement: Embrace a mindset of continuous improvement, using feedback and strategic tools iteratively to enhance skills, knowledge, and confidence in your career journey.

To cultivate an innovation mindset, it is essential to seek feedback and continuously work for improvement. Actively seek feedback from various sources, such as colleagues, mentors, and customers, and view it as an opportunity for growth rather than criticism. Embrace a mindset of continuous improvement by staying curious, seeking out professional development opportunities, and regularly reflecting on your progress. By actively seeking feedback and consistently pushing yourself to improve, you create a culture of innovation and foster a mindset that is open to new ideas and possibilities.

Para nutrir uma mentalidade verdadeiramente inovadora, é essencial buscar feedback e aprimorar-se continuamente. Ao receber feedback construtivo e usar ferramentas como análise SWOT e definição de metas SMART, podemos identificar áreas de melhoria e estabelecer objetivos claros e alcançáveis. Esse processo contínuo de avaliação e aprimoramento não apenas nos ajuda a crescer profissionalmente, mas também nos mantém ágeis e adaptáveis diante das constantes mudanças no ambiente de trabalho.

Fun and hard work are not mutually exclusive. In my experience, having fun while working can create a positive environment that nurtures innovation. It's important to take work seriously, but a positive and enjoyable work environment can foster enthusiasm, motivation, and passion for work, leading to better performance and more successful outcomes. A growth mindset and an element of fun can make the process of problem-solving and ideation more enjoyable, less stressful, and more rewarding in the long run.

I adopt a growth mindset and remind myself that this is a journey, not a race. And I make sure to have fun along the way—it's the best way to keep the creative juices flowing. Finally, I remember that innovation isn't a destination; it's a way of traveling. Staying curious, being resilient, and continually adapting—those are my compass points.

- Growth Mindset 🌱: - Embraces challenges 🤗 - Persists despite obstacles 💪 - Effort leads to mastery ✨ - Learns from criticism 🎓 - Inspired by others' success 👏 vs. - Fixed Mindset 🚫: - Avoids challenges 😨 - Gives up easily 🏳️ - Thinks effort is pointless 🙅♂️ - Ignores useful feedback ❌ - Threatened by others' success 😒 Cultivate a growth mindset to unlock potential and innovation! 🚀🧠💡

Além das estratégias mencionadas, adotar uma mentalidade de crescimento e buscar o prazer no processo pode ser fundamental para cultivar uma mentalidade inovadora. Ao encarar desafios como oportunidades de aprendizado e celebrar conquistas, podemos manter nossa motivação e resiliência elevadas, tornando o caminho da inovação mais agradável e gratificante.

Adotar uma mentalidade de crescimento e cultivar a diversão no trabalho são estratégias que, segundo a neurociência, não apenas elevam os níveis de dopamina, associados à motivação e ao prazer, mas também reforçam as conexões neurais que facilitam a aprendizagem e a resiliência. Essa abordagem transforma os desafios em jogos, estimulando uma resposta mais criativa e engajada às adversidades.

My top 3: - Get comfortable with feeling stupid, frequently - Try to inject a layer of humour wherever possible - Respect people, but disrespect institutions

Be happy with what you do as that will push you to do more. Talk about your career with excitement, mentor and see others grow in that same career.

Two traits are worth cultivating that will serve you well throughout your career: curiosity and irreverence. 1. Curiosity: Innovative thinkers are curious about the world around them. make a habit of constantly asking WHY? It keeps you checking in on the things you take for granted. Every innovation has started because someone wasn't afraid to test assumptions. 2. Irreverence Creative thinkers are willing to challenge established norms. Being irreverent is not the same as being reckless. It is about being responsible whilst fostering some purposeful instability. All progress comes from destabilising the status quo. (You can start this small - because going big can be scary)

👍🏾 Be insanely curious. Innovation is born from discovery. 👍🏾 Develop the skill of asking ‘good’ questions. Bonus points if your questions routinely get responses like, “that’s a good question, I hadn’t thought of it in that way.” Good questions take away the limits of what we currently know and believe. 👍🏾 Ask ‘Why’ with the enthusiasm and stamina of a 5 year old. Often the challenge of getting through 100-whys opens up a road to begin a departure from the status quo. 👍🏾 Don’t be intimidated by experts. Experts may know the current environment but they don’t exclusively have the keys to what’s next.

1. Abandon fear in order to ask difficult and probing questions. 2. Accept that it's ok to push creative boundaries. 3. Reclassify “mistakes/failures” as “phases” (towards successful outcomes). 4. Know when to ask for help, while insisting on being a part of the solution. In other words, don't throw in the towel. Stay committed to the cause even if someone else comes up with the answer - there's no “i” in “team.”