the idea climate equation

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The Idea Climate Equation™:the mounting tension between creativity and logic

Tony Vengrove, Founder & CEOMiles Finch Innovation

© 2012 Miles Finch InnovationIdea Climate Equation™ and its design are trademarks of Miles Finch Innovation, LLC

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Imag ine…

…Ice Cream


3© 2012 Miles Finch InnovationIdea Climate Equation™ and its design are trademarks of Miles Finch Innovation, LLC

Ideasare

Fragile!


Ideas need a proper climate in order to sprout and take hold.

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“What process does your company use for

innovation?”

Source: Copyright © 2009 Masterson Consulting LLC. All rights reserved.


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A Paradox…

Everyone wants creativity, but the uncertainty of creative ideas tends to

scare many away.


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“Logic is Kryptonite”

“…I’ve always seen logic as a solid. It has mass and carries within it a terrifying weight. It is extremely powerful and can stop dreamers dead in their tracks. The problem is, for hundreds of years, we’ve been taught to respect its potency. There may be gods, but logic is the Supreme Being.”

“[Logic] speaks with history on its side and all its received knowledge can make anything new seem foolish and impractical.”

- John Hunt, The Art of the Idea© 2012 Miles Finch InnovationIdea Climate Equation™ and its design are trademarks of Miles Finch Innovation, LLC

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Rationalism and Romanticism

• Rationalism:– The belief that creativity is generated by

the conscious, deliberating, intelligent, rational mind.

• Romanticism:– The belief that creativity bubbles up

from an irrational unconscious, and that rational deliberation interferes with the creative process.

Adapted from Explaining Creativity, R. Keith Sawyer (2006), Oxford University Press, p. 15


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Creativity Logic

•We look at the world in a new way.

•We look at the world in the same way.

Understanding the Tension

•Newness validates success.

• Sameness predicts success

• Values the unknown.

• Values the known.


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Innovation Agility

Time

Creativity

Logic

Gate1

Gate2

Gate3

Gate4


Creativity takes place throughout a project, not just at the beginning.

Creativity

Logic

YourObjective

The Innovation Vortex


Shifting between creative & logical thinking should be a core competency.

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How to build an Idea Climate:

Develop agility between creative and logical

thinking.

Become aware of what the situation calls for!


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… think of it as “ballast.”

A final word on process…


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Belief is our natural state.


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“It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things

begin to happen.”- Muhammad Ali

“A belief is simply a thought I keep on thinking.”

- E. Hicks/Abraham


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Two Things A Vision Should Do:

1.Connect with people on an emotional levelInvoking altruism, pride, belief

2.Tap into logical self-interestMoney, position, recognition

Adpated from Katzenach, Steffen & Kronley, (2012), Cultural Change that Sticks, Harvard Business Review


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The Dangers of Doubt

“…Corporate antibodies can stunt a company’s growth when they shut down the fresh ideas and unconventional thinkers it so badly needs.”

“Antibodies are the road-block to innovation.”- Phil McKinney, Former CTO of HP

Source: McKinney, P. (2012). How to Fight and Survive the Corporate Antibodies, from philmckinney.com


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“Let me just play Devil’s Advocate for a minute…”

“The Devil’s Advocate encourages idea-wreckers to assume the most negative possible perspective, one that sees only the downside, the problems, the disasters-in-waiting.”

“Once those floodgates open, they can drown a new initiative in negativity.”

- Tom Kelley, IDEO

Source: Kelley, T. (2005). The Ten Faces of Innovation


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Engage in Conversation

Driving Forces Restraining Forces

Stablequasi-stationary

equilibrium

Force Field Analysis: identify what helps and what gets in the way.

Source: Lewin, K. (1951) Field Theory in Social Science – Force Field Analysis


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Increase Your Cultural Consciousness

• Recognize times to be creative vs. logical.

• Recognize the perspective of your colleagues.

• Get in the Innovation Vortex!


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Get Comfortable with Creativity

• Demonstrate that you want to hear ideas (even the absurd ones).

• People don’t want YOU to be creative. THEY want to be creative.

• Get out of the way. Don’t be an “antibody.”


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Champion Objectives

• Use objectives to judge ideas.

• Use logic to give constructive feedback.

• Create opportunities for idea shaping and refinement.


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Learn How to Sell Ideas

• Selling ideas takes PREPARATION!!!

• Become an Idea Ambassador.


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Seven Key Principles1. When belief is present, ideas are built up.

2. When doubt reigns, ideas are killed.

3. When people believe, sharing ideas makes them feel smart and productive.

4. When people doubt, stating why an idea won’t work makes them feel smart and productive.

5. When subjectivity reigns, the most senior person in the room usually wins.

6. Eliminating doubt increases belief.

7. Too much logic diminishes creativity. Too much creativity creates chaos.


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Contact:@Tony_Vengrove

[email protected]


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