Hey there, innovation champions!
When I first took the stage back in the mid-90s to teach calligraphy, I never imagined I’d one day be helping tech giants strengthen their teams through creativity and connection. Yet here we are!
I’m thrilled to share my new speaker reel that captures how I help leaders and teams Create the Impossible™ through the strategic use of creativity, connection and play.
This reel represents more than just my speaking journey – it’s a testament to the transformative power of embracing your whole self. My background as a professional artist, Juilliard-trained dancer, jazz singer, and improviser brings a unique perspective to innovation in tech. I’d love to hear what resonates most with you. Click here to let me know!
Click to watch (10:09) or scroll down to read more
Speaking of transformation, let me share a pivotal moment from my journey that might spark your own breakthrough…
It’s a story about how my art studio became a warehouse for UFOs.
No, not the alien kind – I’m talking about Un-Finished Objects. 🛸
Back when I was a professional artist, I had a problem. I’d start a piece, and things would be going great… until they weren’t. I’d get to a point where the piece needed something, but I’d become paralyzed by perfectionism.
The fear of ruining what I’d already created would stop me dead in my tracks. So instead of taking action, I’d let half-finished pieces gather dust while I overthought every possible next move.
Sound familiar?
In today’s tech world, I see the same pattern playing out in companies struggling to innovate. Teams get caught in analysis paralysis, endlessly refining ideas instead of testing them in the real world.
The solution I eventually discovered in my art studio turns out to be exactly what innovative tech teams need today. Let me break it down using my Create the Impossible™ framework:
1. Play Hard
When I finally broke free from perfectionist paralysis, it wasn’t through more careful planning – it was through embracing risk. I made a conscious decision to take the riskier path whenever I hit that fork in the road.
This became so fundamental to my creative process that “Take the riskier path” is now guidepost number seven in my book, The Creative Sandbox Way™.
2. Make Crap
Yes, this approach led to some clunkers. But here’s the fascinating part – those “ruined” pieces often led to unexpected breakthroughs.
New techniques. Fresh perspectives. Solutions I never would have discovered through careful planning.
3. Learn Fast
The real magic? The speed of learning. Taking quick action, even risky action, taught me more in a few minutes than weeks of careful contemplation ever could.
In tech innovation, this principle is more crucial than ever. Here’s why:
The Overthinking Trap
When we slow down to analyze every possibility, we actually reduce our creative capacity. Studies show that the analytical part of our brain can interfere with creative insights.
Think about it: Did the Wright brothers perfect their airplane design before taking their first flight? Did Edison analyze the perfect filament before testing it?
Innovation happens through action, not analysis.
The Speed Advantage
In today’s fast-paced tech world, perfect solutions delivered slowly are often worse than imperfect solutions delivered quickly. Why? Because quick action creates faster learning cycles.
This might sound counterintuitive, but consider this: Which team will innovate faster?
- Team A: Spends six months perfecting a plan
- Team B: Runs 24 weekly experiments, many of which “fail”
Team B wins every time. They’ve had 24 learning cycles while Team A is still planning.
Let me share what I’ve discovered working with tech teams: The ones that innovate most successfully aren’t necessarily the smartest or best-resourced. They’re the ones willing to share work in progress, test rough prototypes, and take quick action.
This mirrors exactly what I learned in my art studio: The more willing I was to “ruin” a piece by taking action, the faster I learned and the more I ultimately created.
So how can you apply this to your innovation challenges? Here are three practical strategies:
1. The Two-Minute Rule
When you catch yourself overthinking, set a timer for two minutes and take ANY action toward your goal. Make it quick, make it messy, just make it happen.
2. The “First Draft Share”
Instead of waiting until something’s perfect, share it when it’s at 50%. Label it explicitly as a “rough draft for discussion.” You’ll be amazed at how this changes the quality of feedback you receive.
3. The Risk Timer
When facing a decision, give yourself 30 seconds to choose. If one option feels scarier but potentially more rewarding, that’s your cue to take the riskier path.
Remember: Innovation isn’t killed by bad ideas – it’s killed by good ideas that never see the light of day because we thought about them too long.
So here’s your challenge for this week: What’s one project or idea you’ve been overthinking? Choose one of these strategies and take action in the next 24 hours.
Stay curious, stay playful, and keep creating the impossible!
I’d love to hear from you. What project or idea have you been overthinking? What quick action could you take in the next 24 hours? Click here to share your story!
Senior Leaders: Ready to help your team break free from overthinking and accelerate innovation? Let’s explore how quick action and productive “failure” can transform your team’s creative potential. Book your complimentary Innovation Strategy Session here.
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