Last week, I visited Kitty Hawk, where Orville and Wilbur Wright achieved the first powered flight in 1903. The experience of witnessing children's excitement, running faster than that historic airplane, sparked key insights for me as an innovator: - Strength is essential! Innovation often requires envisioning the future and stepping beyond the norm, even when faced with resistance from those who may not fully grasp the vision or are entrenched in the status quo. - Humility is crucial! The messy process of innovation, like the Wright brothers' 400+ flights in just three days, emphasizes the importance of embracing a 'safe to fail' mindset to learn from setbacks. - Optimism is key! Firsts in innovation are undervalued, highlighting not only the achievement but also the new opportunities it creates for the future helps to communicate the value of foundational achievements. - Receptivity matters! Innovation flourishes with a supportive environment, as demonstrated by the Wright brothers' journey, underlining the significance of a supportive circle, even when others may not fully understand your vision. Reflecting on these principles, let's remember that innovation is a journey demanding perseverance, foresight, and a resilient mindset. #Innovation #Leadership #LearningFromHistory #Windy
And of course good old fashioned perseverance. Just grinding matters a lot.
Brazil claims that they were first!
Your visit to Kitty Hawk and the reflections it inspired are truly thought-provoking!
Thank you for sharing this, Dan! Excellent points!
Love these takeaways Dan Wald !
Technical Program Manager + Operational Strategy/Strategic Planning | SaaS Product Development, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Product Roadmaps, Digital Transformation, Change Management
4moI can't imagine what it was like to be them flying in that plane! What an exciting thing. Thanks for sharing!