The Psychology of Innovation

The Psychology of Innovation

What is it?Why Does it

Matter?

The Innovation Imperative

Innovation in an unknown Future

Globalization, Political-Economic Emergence,

Change, Uncertainty…..

Power of Innovation “Innovation is probably the single biggest

factor determining who succeeds and who fails anywhere in the world.” – Nick Donofrio, IBM Corporation

"Innovation is the specific instrument of entrepreneurship…the act that endows resources with a new capacity to create wealth."  – Peter Drucker

“ Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower .”  Steve Jobs

“ Innovation is the central issue in economic prosperity.” Michael Porter

Terminology What is innovation?

Innovation IS NOT invention

Innovation IS NOT creativity

Innovation IS NOT any new idea

Defining Innovation

Ideas that change behavior

A Few Examples

A Few Examples

A Few Examples

Two Faces of Innovation

Idea CREATION

Idea ADOPTION

Idea Creation: Core Questions

How the Mind Works

How the Brain Works

Social & Environmental Facilitation

Reorienting

Pink’s Principles R-Directed versus L-Directed Thinking

Abundance, Asia, Automation Cheaper? Faster? Demand?

Ages of Man:

Agriculture

Industrial

Information

Conceptual

Six Senses

DESIGN STORY SYMPHONY EMPATHY PLAY MEANING

Idea Generation: Role of Genius

NOT

If not genius, then…?

If not genius, then…? Gladwell: Success as …

Luck of opportunity:BackgroundKnowledge and Skill acquisitionEffort

Kivy “…getting good ideas cannot be taught, cannot be explained, cannot be methodized, and is an intensely personal matter…”

Unconscious Inference

Idea Creation: Obstacles

Beliefs Situational Barriers Environmental Barriers Paradigm Blindness &

Disciplinarity Ideologies

Idea Creation: Personality

Thinking

Perseverance

Curiosity

Creativity

What makes a Good Idea?

Example of one feature of a good idea: Elegance

Symmetry Seduction Sustainability Subtraction

Higher Education Institutional Constraints

Fragmented organization Conservative Values: Inertia Bloated Bureaucracy 1950’s Management Conflicting missions

Pedagogy Content delivered to Passive Receptacles Uniformed opinion trumps evidence

Curriculum ‘State of the Art for 1960!