Jul
7
Courting the BIG Innovation: Who Do You Need to Become?
Although you may not have completed your thinking about what you want to achieve, you can certainly begin your thinking on the next phase you need to explore before committing to courting the BIG innovation. This phase has three components: assumptions, behaviors, character — the A, B, and C of your personal assessment.
WHO DO YOU NEED TO BECOME?
As you embark on discovering the answers to the question, “search” should be your constant companion. You can start with “list of characteristics of innovators.” Look at each one deeply. You do not want to be blinded by your own ignorance of what is involved. Remember the Sirens still sing their seductive songs and Circe still clouds your vision. Be open with yourself. Be honest in your assessments.
ASSUMPTIONS — With your list of characteristics of innovators in hand, start identifying assumptions or beliefs you hold about any of the characteristics. Neither good nor bad, assumptions color the way each of us sees the world. An innovator has a richer and much more complete palette of colors. You need only to acknowledge the assumptions you hold, not necessarily change any of them. For example, think about the assumptions you hold related to the work environment and to workers. Think about assumptions you hold about time. Think about assumptions you hold regarding other people, their beliefs, their behaviors, and their character. If you need more “assumptions” to consider, conduct a search with “list of assumptions people hold.”
Again, look at each one deeply. Ask yourself, “How does this assumption affect the BIG innovation I envision?” As you understand each assumption, re-visit the thinking you did with “What Do You Want To Achieve?” Jot down any changes you anticipate making. After all, the Odyssey is still yours. You are free to change the BIG innovation details at any time.
BEHAVIORS — Return to your list of characteristics of innovators. Identify the behaviors, the “doing,” that you anticipate is related to each characteristic. Also, list all of the behaviors that you believe you possess already. What are you really good at doing? What do you do when you play? What do you do when you are confused or frustrated? What do you do when you are successful? How do each of these “do” behaviors mesh with your understanding of what an innovator needs to do?
When you have drained your brain, look at the people around you — friends, co-workers, even strangers. Identify the behaviors you believe are needed in your innovation “luggage.” If you believe you might have missed some good behaviors or some bad behaviors you need to watch for, conduct a search with “list of behaviors.” Pay attention to those behaviors that relate to professional behavior. Now, re-visit your thinking for “What Do You Want To Achieve?” As you understand the relationship of any particular behavior to your success with the BIG innovation, jot down any behaviors that you want to strengthen, add to your repertoire, or find in others. Adjust your BIG innovation as needed.
CHARACTER — Return, one more time, to your list of characteristics of innovators. Identify the values associated with each characteristic. Ask yourself, “What do I really like about me?” Take each of your answers and associate it with one or more characteristics of innovators. Try to identify how you exhibit each character trait to others. If you find you do not have all of the traits you believe are vital to the success of your BIG innovation, conduct the same inventory building with both your formal and informal people-networks. If you believe you might have missed some character traits, conduct a search with “list of character traits.” Pay particular attention to traits that you might not have considered. Evaluate each one for its possible role in your success.
Re-visit, one final time, your thinking for “What Do You Want To Achieve?” Make any changes that you believe are needed. Because you have assessed who you are, you should have a detailed picture of who you need to become. If you cannot fill the gaps yourself, look to the people who can fill those gaps. They become your travel companions on your Odyssey. As you gain personal confidence in what you want to accomplish and in understanding who you need to be, the Siren songs fade and the Circe visions blur. The BIG innovation becomes more real. [Look for Part 3 to follow soon. Your Odyssey planning is almost completed.]
Virginia L. McBride, The Haven Maven Founder, EPROW Images Creator, “IT’S ALL ABOUT THE THINKING” Virginia builds personalized “thinking environments” to strengthen innovative thought. Working with EPROW Images, clients describe who they need to become. The description maps the action plan. To qualify for a free 30-minute consultation, submit a “pitch” through EPROW’s PAPPY program => http://www.eprowimages.com
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