Innovation Doesn’t Happen When You Are Staring at Your Phone

I went to a workshop on innovation the other day and left thinking about process. Coincidentally, I jotted a few notes down to remember to write this post and right after a colleague called me and she turned the conversation to this very subject of process innovation. I took that as a sign A.) I really needed to write this post or B.) I needed to rethink the way I work. Maybe a little of both is the right answer. It usually is.

More than anything, I personally learn by listening and by thinking about what people say then relating it to myself. Sure, that may make me seem like a very self absorbed person but this kind of learning is my own way of relating and committing things to memory. This is essentially what conversation is, right? I guess I learn a lot by having conversations. Interesting! In today’s world an in-person version of one of those can be rather hard to come by. And it seemed this was a big part of what the workshop was about. I left thinking about how my processes are innovated and in doing so, this is what I came up with:

I Listen: I listen to business climate, what people want & need.

I Relate: I try to see how I can help and how my own capabilities fit in.

I Take a Risk: I try something new.

I Mix it Up: I never do things exactly the same, until I am perfect I think that makes sense. Let’s not hold our breath.

I Document: I write down suggestions on how I might avoid roadblocks or mistakes that I’ve made in the past.

I Show Humility: I stay open to people, criticism, and ideas. Even if it takes me a while to come around.

I Stay Persistent: I do it all over again, hoping to get better with ever iteration.

 

Whether this is my process of rebranding an organization or perfecting a recipe  alot can be learned and improved when I commit to continual improvement.

 

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