Hey there, innovation champions!
Big news! My second LinkedIn Learning course, “How to Overcome and Avoid Creative Blocks,” just went live!
When I first started teaching calligraphy back in the mid-90s, I never imagined I’d one day be helping professionals at companies like Meta and Google unleash their creative potential. Yet here we are!
This course is especially meaningful to me because I spent years believing I wasn’t creative (sound familiar to anyone?). Now I get to help others break free from their own creative blocks using the very tools and mindsets that transformed my own journey from “blocked artist” to innovation strategist.
I’d love to hear what resonates most with you. Hit reply and let me know!
(And be sure to follow me on LinkedIn, because over the coming days and weeks I’ll be sharing videos from the course that you’ll be able to watch for free, even if you don’t normally have access to LinkedIn Learning!)
Speaking of breaking through creative blocks, let me share a story that might surprise you…
Click to watch (09:07) or scroll down to read more
When I finally came back to making art, after a long period of stuckness, I screwed up my courage, pulled out some stretched canvases – still wrapped in their plastic packaging – and started splashing some paint around.
While I’d love to tell you that the art I made that day was glorious, the harsh reality is that it was seriously ugly.
But you know what? That didn’t bother me. Because the feeling I experienced while following my curiosity and playing in the creative sandbox was pure joy!
That ended up being just the first of many layers I painted on that canvas. Yes, it was godawful after that initial session, but I needed that layer of crap to get me to the final painting, which brings me great joy and delight, and still hangs on my wall to this day.
As I like to say, we need the crap to fertilize the good stuff.
So what does this have to do with innovation in business? Everything!
You see, pursuing “terrible” innovations isn’t just permitted – it’s essential. Here’s why:
1. First drafts spark breakthroughs
Just like that first ugly layer of paint became the foundation for a cherished artwork, your team’s “terrible” first attempts contain seeds of brilliance. But only if you let them exist.
2. Permission drives participation
When you explicitly encourage “terrible” ideas, you create psychological safety. Team members who might otherwise stay quiet start contributing – and that’s where the magic happens.
3. Speed beats perfection
In today’s fast-paced tech world, waiting for the perfect innovation means falling behind. “Terrible” prototypes get you moving and learning fast.
This is exactly why my Create the Impossible™ framework starts with these three essential steps:
1. Play Hard
When I splashed paint on that canvas, I wasn’t trying to make a masterpiece. I was playing. And that playful mindset is exactly what enables breakthrough innovation.
Think about it: Would Google Maps exist if someone hadn’t first made the “terrible” suggestion of photographing every street in the world? That idea must have sounded ridiculous at first!
2. Make Crap
Remember, we need the crap to fertilize the good stuff. This isn’t just a cute saying – it’s a fundamental principle of innovation.
At Meta, I work with brilliant researchers who sometimes get stuck trying to make their insights perfect before sharing them. But when they give themselves permission to share “terrible” first drafts, something magical happens: Their colleagues build on those drafts in unexpected ways, leading to breakthroughs that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.
3. Learn Fast
Each “terrible” attempt teaches you something valuable. My first layer of paint showed me how the canvas absorbed color, how the acrylic moved, what happened when I added water. These weren’t failures – they were data points.
The same principle applies in tech innovation. Every “terrible” prototype brings you closer to breakthrough solutions.
So here’s your challenge for this week: What’s one “terrible” innovation you could pursue?
Maybe it’s:
– A rough prototype that makes you cringe
– A wild idea you’ve been too embarrassed to share
– A “stupid” solution to a persistent problem
Remember: The path to extraordinary often starts with terrible. Embrace it!
Stay curious, stay playful, and keep creating the impossible!
I’d love to hear from you. What’s the “worst” idea that turned into something brilliant? Click here to share your story!
Senior Leaders: Ready to unlock the power of imperfect innovation? Let’s explore how embracing “terrible” ideas can transform your team’s creative potential. Book your complimentary Innovation Strategy Session here.
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