8 Secrets to Fuel Innovation

Nothing drives progress like innovation. Around the world, from the smallest farms to the largest corporations, innovation is creating a more sustainable economy and planet with a focus on positive social and environmental outcomes. To support this responsible progress, here are 8 secrets to help promote innovation inspired by some of the world's best innovators, including Google, Apple, Steve Jobs, and Thomas Edison.

1. Have Something Worth Innovating For

Apple wants to put a ding in the universe, Google is organizing the world's information, and Thomas Edison was creating light. All are inspiring, impactful, and needed. At the end of the day, people are responsible for innovation, and only be providing an inspirational goal will people truly reach their potential: Create a communicate a vision that people want to support.

2. Think Big, Start Small

Before Google decided to bring the content of millions of books online through the Google Books tool, its co-founder, Larry Page, bought his own scanner, timed his ability to scan pages, and decided it would be possible to actually digitize all existing texts. Google Books now has over 10 million books.

3. Simpler is Better

The most prolific inventors always strive for simplicity. Leonardo da Vinci popularized the notion with his famous remark that "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication", and years later, Albert Einstein shared that the challenge is to "Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler."

4. Inspiration is Everywhere

Sir Isaac Newton watched an Apple hit the ground, Steve Jobs was inspired by calligraphy, and world-renown designer Stefan Sagmeister takes a sabbatical every few years to get inspired by nature, different cultures, and other industries.

5. Fail Fast

"Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly".  Before innovating, you must prepare yourself to fail greatly, read our previous post on how to Get Really Good at Failing.

6. Share, Be Open to Sharing, and Share Some More

Share what you learn, share where you failed, and be open to learn from others. Collaborate with different companies and different people as often as possible. Amazon.com promotes team work, cross-collaboration, and one of its core leadership principles is to "Disagree and Commit"... why? It fosters collaboration and innovation.

7. Create Your Own Serendipity

There is no such thing as luck or good fortune.  According to the The Harvard Business Review, which published a great article about How to Make Serendipity Work For You. "Serendipity is to see meaningful combinations where others do not". Want more guidance? Read 5 Ways to Create Your Own Serendipity.

8. Grit and Tenacity Are Vital to Cross the Finish Line

There are no shortcuts to the top. Period. In addition to failing, it takes a lot of time and energy to create innovation. Don't give up. As long as you keep networking, learning, growing, failing, trying and achieving little successes along the way, innovation will come.

HOW DO YOU FUEL INNOVATION?

 

This post was partially inspired by a great article on Think With Google titled "8 Pillars of Innovation"