Leader's Blog

NANOBITE #4

January 24, 2012

5 Basic Truths Innovators Live By

1. Don’t lean on yesterday’s headlines. Your lock on success is only as good as your last piece of work. You are never more vulnerable to complacency, arrogance, indifference, and inflexibility than when you are riding the wave of success. A motto for avoiding complacency: “Great today… Better tomorrow.”

2. You can’t have innovation and renewal if you aren’t willing to question authority and challenge the status quo—put every process, policy, rule and regulation on probation constantly!

3. Defy mediocrity. When you complete a project, look at it and ask, “Is this a WOW? Will this astonish people—as in knock’em on their butt?”

4. Being RIGHT is highly overrated—pursue the best solution whether it’s yours or not. Usually there’s more than one RIGHT, once you embrace this simple truth you’ll be less afraid of doing the wrong thing.

5. Helplessness and powerlessness are states of mind—neither will serve you well. Being a victim may not be a choice, but being victimized is a choice. If you are confronted with a bad situation either change the situation or choose a different attitude.

• Don’t place blame, take responsibility.
• Don’t make excuses, make something happen.
• Don’t be sorry, change.

Kevin & Jackie