INSEAD Knowledge’s Post

Great advice. Busyness is totally overrated. It’s physically and mentally exhausting, and in most cases counterproductive. Besides, taking the time to reflect on your actions is the best way to learn, grow and improve. #leadership #busyness #reflection

Well said and true! I have found “breakthroughs” or great ideas in my life have always come in times of peace when repetition, routine and healthy familiar environment is involved. Both of which are confirmed forms of stability and pillars of mental health and wellbeing. #Wellbeing #Businessinnovation #Mentalhealth #professionalgrowth #revenuegrowth #leadership #Dynamicworkplace #Entrepreneualmindset #MBA

We often view idea creation as sterile and mysterious, believing that great ideas spring forth fully formed into the minds of geniuses. This notion positions ideas in the realm of giftedness—you either have a good idea or you don’t, and you can’t force it. This misconception discourages us from actively pursuing creativity. In reality, new ideas are born when two old ideas combine. Steven Johnson, author of Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation, spent five years studying the origins of some of the world’s greatest ideas. He found that big ideas usually form over a series of years (a process he calls a “slow hunch”) and typically occur when two “partial hunches” collide. Dispelling the myth that ideas are the domain of singular geniuses, Johnson suggests that we often have part of an answer and need to interface with others to arrive at a more complete solution. Great ideas often require the combination of my idea and yours. Johnson’s research provides a blueprint for cultivating better ideas ourselves. First, we need to be patient. Even when a “Eureka!” moment occurs, the idea has usually been simmering for years. Second, we need to interact with people and ideas outside our own expertise. Johnson cites the coffeehouses of Enlightenment Era Europe as crucial for the explosion of thought leadership during that period. These venues allowed people to meet, exchange ideas, and imbibe non-alcoholic beverages, fostering clear thinking and collaboration. To generate great ideas, we must fill our heads with new and varied information and engage with diverse perspectives. The information we need often resides elsewhere, waiting to combine with our own thoughts to create something truly innovative. Embrace the collaborative nature of idea generation and watch your creativity flourish.

Innovation isn't linear. It's a web of interconnected human questions. The way we think about innovation changes everything. Because now I see: ↳ Every prototype is a hypothesis about human nature. ↳ Every product is a statement about what matters. ↳ Every solution reveals what we value. The most practical problems lead to the deepest questions: • Why do we need this? • What does this need tell us about being human? • What assumptions are we making about life? These philosophical foundations go deeper than we imagine. Maybe true innovation isn't just solving problems. Maybe it's understanding why we see them as problems in the first place. What hidden questions do you see in the things we build? --- Post 5/8 - The Innovation Philosophy Series PS - Day 36/365 of writing in public! #Innovation #Technology #Philosophy

How to think the unthinkable (1/2) “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” —Albert Einstein At times however, unconstrained thinking can be erratic and unmoored. Freeform thinkers can find themselves lost in a forest of ambiguity, bereft of map or compass. Sadly, we’re all too often constrained by constraints, rather than liberated by them. “Constraints aren’t the boundaries of creativity, but the foundation of it.” — Brandon Rodriguez The good news is, it is possible to consistently create ‘goldilocks’ conditions for thinking big; where just the right balance of constraint and freedom are present to ensure breakthroughs can be made. The solution lies in an age-old technique called the thought experiment. Choosing the right kind of thought experiment is one thing, but crafting and designing the perfect scenario for a specific context or challenge is a whole other ball game. “Thought experiments are your very own reality-distortion field, you choose-your-own-adventure game.“ —Ozan Varul

Did you know that yesterday was World Creativity & Innovation Day? Innovation does not = invention, contrary to what we often think. Invention is about creating something new, while innovation introduces the concept of “use” of an idea or method. So often backed by creativity. Here is the one thing you should learn this week. https://lnkd.in/gXrgtRzW #WorldCreativityandInnovationday #WCID #creativity #softskills

In the world of creation and innovation, there's a common misconception that theory always precedes action. However, a glance through history reveals a different story: practice often precedes theory. Real-world actions and experiments have frequently been the bedrock upon which theoretical frameworks are built, not the other way around. The reality is that many groundbreaking achievements were not the result of following pre-existing theories but rather of trailblazing through uncharted territory. Innovators, artists, and philosophers typically ventured into the unknown, tried new approaches, and made discoveries that later formed the basis of new theories. While theoretical knowledge undoubtedly accelerates our learning and helps us stand on the shoulders of giants, it's essential to recognize the limits of theory when it comes to innovation. Innovation requires stepping beyond established boundaries, questioning the status quo, and, most importantly, daring to try and fail. In our professional and personal lives, this means embracing experimentation and learning by doing. Innovation doesn’t flourish in the safety net of well-established theories but in the testing grounds of practice and experience. It's about being open to failure and learning from it, paving the way for new ideas and approaches. To truly live a fulfilling and innovative life, we must be willing to lead with action. Let's encourage a culture where practice and experimentation are celebrated as crucial steps in the learning process and the journey towards creating new theories. A life well-lived is not confined by the boundaries of existing theories but is one that dares to explore, experiment, and, through these experiences, contribute to the creation of new knowledge and understanding. #Innovation #Experimentation #LearningByDoing #ProfessionalGrowth

When we think of creativity, we often imagine boundless freedom to create whatever we want. However, it turns out that too much freedom can actually hinder innovation. The best ideas come from working within creative constraints. These constraints, like cost, material availability etc , force us to think outside the box and come up with unique solutions to achieve our goals. The Power of Constraints: catalyst for creativity, constraints can force you to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions. Constraints,, aren’t the boundaries of creativity, but the foundation of it. Food for thought ! #creativity #innovation #creativeconstraints

The Paradox of Knowledge: The more we learn, the vaster the unknown becomes. Every discovery unveils a horizon of further questions. It's a beautiful paradox that fuels our curiosity and propels innovation. Embrace the ever-expanding unknown, for it's the fertile ground for growth. #knowledge #curiosity #innovation #lifelonglearning

“Labor gives birth to ideas,” captures a profound truth about the relationship between effort and creativity. Often, we think that ideas come first and action follows. However, Rohn suggests that it’s through the process of hard work—through the labor itself—that ideas are born. When we commit to consistent effort, whether in learning a skill, building a business, or solving a problem, the act of labor pushes us to think creatively and discover solutions we hadn’t initially envisioned. Challenges, obstacles, and the pursuit of improvement spark new insights, fueling innovation. This principle reminds us that waiting for the perfect idea before starting is counterproductive. Instead, we should dive into the work, knowing that in the process, inspiration and ideas will emerge. In many ways, labor is the crucible where raw potential is transformed into brilliance. By embracing work, not as a burden but as a means of creation, we allow ourselves to unlock the hidden potential within our endeavors, proving that effort truly breeds innovation. #InspirationThroughAction #EffortAndSuccess #Mindset #Motivation