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!
