A Creative Credo

Posted on December 12, 2010 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

A culture of Innovation & creativity are essential for remaining relevant in today's competitive marketplace - the following is addapted from the personal "Creative Credo" of Mac Lake, who leads the "Launch Network":

1. Believe there is great power in ideas
   Ideas have the power to change the world.  Former Quaker Oats President, Ken Mason said, “I’m not impressed with the power of a corporate president, I am impressed with the power of ideas.”
2. Believe Innovation is a team sport
   Innovation takes hold in an organization when a team works together on a idea.  Oliver Homes said, “Many ideas grow better when transplanted into the mind of another person - and pondered there.
3. Don't be an idea killer
   Charlie Brower said, “A new idea is delicate, it can be killed by a sneer or a yawn.  It can be stabbed to death by a quip, and killed by a frown on a person’s brow."  Be careful to create an atmosphere where ideas are encouraged and nutured.
4. Don't just take time to think… make time to think.
   Making time for reflective thinking is an investment in your future - and the future of the organization. Practice “what if” thinking…  What if I had unlimited funds, what if I we could start over, etc…
5. Understand that not all good ideas have to be big ideas
   Some of the best ideas are small ideas.  I read about a company who put up a suggestion board and announced they would pay $100 reward for any idea that would save the company money.  The first winner, an employee who suggested cutting the award to $50.
6. Be willing to take a Risk
   FW Woolworth convinced his boss to have a 10 cent sell to reduce inventory.  The idea worked so well he encouraged his boss to open a five and dime store, but he declined saying it was too risky.  Later his boss said, “As far as I can figure every word I used turning FF Woolworth down cost me about a million dollars.”
7. Acitvely seek out new new ideas in familiar places and experiences
   George Ballas came up with the idea for the weedeater as he went through a car wash and noticed the strings slapping and surrounding his car.  When we open our eyes and open our minds - we find the seeds of new ideas everywhere.
8. Make sure you have FUN along the way