Where Does the Motivation for Innovation Come From?
This is part 1 in a 4 part series about the steps to control your own business. It is too easy to think you can do it alone. KELLERWATT brings honesty to your transformation journey.
Motivation and Ideas
In a world constantly evolving, innovation stands as the driving force behind progress. From groundbreaking technological advancements to transformative changes in various industries, the question that often arises is: Where does the motivation for innovation come from?
Let’s take this simple example to illustrate the process from idea to product.
Sue has been working in a business for a few years and gets frustrated that things are not getting better. Sue wants to make their life easier. She finds a solution which she is happy with and as Sue has been in the business for a while she feels trusted and respected and is open to sharing that solution with others. Innovation starts in each and every corner of a business with people like Sue.
The solution is good and people like using it, but they start to ask for the solution to do more. Different motivations and requirements are now added to the mix. If Sue’s solution survives this phase then the solution may start turning into a reusable product, that other businesses could use.
Technology Readiness Levels (TRL)
What I outlined in the previous text corresponds to the Technology Readiness Levels (TRL). These levels, ranging from 1 to 9, establish criteria for gauging the evolution of innovation from a concept to a tangible product or service. In the upcoming blogs, we will delve deeper into the intricacies of TRLs, exploring how businesses can leverage them to maintain transparency in evaluating their progress. Let’s return to the topic of motivation and examine why Sue has achieved success where others have fallen short.
The Curiosity to Solve Problems
At the core of KELLERWATT’s innovation is curiosity. An insatiable desire to understand, explore, and solve problems propels individuals like Sue toward new ideas and inventions. This curiosity isn’t limited to tackling everyday inconveniences; it extends to addressing significant global challenges. The motivation for innovation at KELLERWATT often originates from the curiosity to solve problems, big or small.
Necessity as the Mother of Invention
The saying “necessity is the mother of invention” resonates at KELLERWATT. Faced with challenges or unmet needs, individuals are driven to create something new. Sue’s journey started small with an Excel spreadsheet (an MVP) and grew into a robust solution, thanks to her education, drive to learn, and adaptability.
This intrinsic motivation emerges from a sense of necessity, pushing innovators like Sue to explore uncharted territories and develop solutions that can make a meaningful impact.
“The important thing is to not stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”
Albert Einstein
Inspiration from Others
Innovation at KELLERWATT doesn’t exist in isolation; it thrives on inspiration from others. Observing success stories, learning from role models, and understanding impactful journeys fuel the motivation to innovate. How does Sue go from dancing in the field alone to starting a party? Sue transitions from working independently to learning the principles of Agile, realizing it’s a manifesto empowering teams and fostering innovation.
Embracing a Growth Mindset
The motivation for innovation at KELLERWATT is closely linked to adopting a growth mindset. Believing in the potential for continuous learning and improvement encourages individuals to push boundaries and explore new possibilities. Sue’s feedback from colleagues propels her to think beyond technical challenges and consider a Lean spin-out business.
A growth mindset fosters resilience in the face of failure, turning setbacks into opportunities for growth and innovation.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”
MAYA ANGELOU, memirist and poet
Creating a Culture of Innovation
KELLERWATT plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation. Cultivating a culture that values creativity, encourages experimentation, and embraces diverse perspectives creates an environment where individuals are motivated to innovate. For individuals to succeed, they need the support of managers and an environment rewarding ideas.
Collaboration and open communication within teams at KELLERWATT spark ideas leading to groundbreaking solutions.
Conclusion
Innovation is not a singular event or project but a continuous process fueled by various sources of motivation. Whether rooted in curiosity, necessity, inspiration, or a growth mindset, the drive to innovate at KELLERWATT comes from a combination of internal and external factors. By understanding and embracing these motivational forces, KELLERWATT can cultivate an environment where innovation flourishes, creating a brighter and more dynamic future.
As KELLERWATT embarks on this exploration of innovation, let’s delve deeper into the diverse motivations propelling us toward creating a better tomorrow.
