Three Minute Leadership: Beyond Optimization to Innovation

To: The Great Leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning

In a recent article, “Creating the Space to Innovate,” John Maxwell, author and leadership guru, quotes Kevin Kelly, Wired Magazine Executive Editor, who writes that success “flows directly from innovation, not optimization. It is not gained by perfecting the known, but by imperfectly seizing the unknown.” Optimization, assuredly, brings value as part of a continuous improvement cycle in continuously raising the bar for organizations and ourselves. Breakthrough, Kelly argues is achieved through innovation – seeing the world through different eyes. As Steve Jobs observes: “Innovations distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”

Optimization focuses on what currently exists and seeks to increase its efficiency, effectiveness or output. Innovation creates new capacity or capability, and results from thinking and seeing things with a different mindset. Einstein wrote: “Innovation is not the product of logical thought, although the results is tied to logical structure.” Herein lies the excitement and joy of innovation – opening your heart, mind and spirit to new possibilities, to dreams that you can bring to reality. In his Law of Sacrifice, Maxwell points out, that “leaders must give up to go up.” Great leaders are called to make the leap and ponder the unimaginable, to move forward and to not to be bound by the past. Your gifts and talents are without limit. You have only to find them within. Walt Disney once said: “I believe in being an innovator.” Believe in your own infinite, innovative possibilities and see magnificent cathedrals in stones.

Have a beautiful and a magnificent week!!!

Mike

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