Vocabularly Lesson for Innovators
True - consistent with fact or reality. You know the trick about that word? It’s f-ing subjective! If you tell me “This is the one true way to use this,” I’m going to tell you that it’s your opinion.
Realist- viewing the world in terms of what is. Same thing. Subjective. My definition of realist: pessimist. Because I’ve rarely met someone claiming to be a realist that isn’t a big wet woolen sweater on my thoughts and opinions.
Practical- concerned with actual use or practice. Ditto. What’s practical for you isn’t practical for me.
The Power of Words
Here’s how YOU use the above. Immediately take weight away from these words. If someone says there’s one true way to do something, it’s almost always bullshit. It might be their experience. It might be their best practice. But there’s always another perspective. It’s your choice whether to follow the “one true way” or to reinvent the wheel. But innovation doesn’t come from “one true way” types.
Realists are useful to have around. But don’t be one yourself if you’re not already. Just get their thoughts. Nod. And then decide if you’re going to break the rules. Learn the rules, break the rules. Make new rules.
Practical is a demon. Practical is the excuse people give you when you’re trying something big and bold and new. Banish practical to the operations teams of the world, those who strive to execute. It’s great to have practical people around. They make wonderful, energetic workers. But they’re not dreamers and innovators and new-try-ers. So, keep them near, but not on your “big new idea” advisory group.
What other vocabulary should we discuss?
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Comments
How about “Grounded”, as in grounded in reality…
One man’s reality is another man’s ridiculous limitations on the possible.
Eliminating as many “Toxic Avengers”- those people who are constantly throwing cold water on your dreams or ideas before they have a chance to flesh out or bloom, is a big goal of mine. It’s one of the best lessons I learned going through The Artist’s Way book.
In fact, I have an extra copy I picked up at a book sale recently- first person to email me at ldpodcast@gmail.com gets it sent to them, if they can promise to give it a try and report back on their progress.
Don’t forget to add break the rules again after you’ve made the new rules. Nothing worse than an old tired innovator that has gotten complacent :)
-Jeff O’Hara
http://blog.zemote.com
Another vocabulary word? How about ‘monetize’?
From your practical friend on the ops team, who *occasionally* rises above implementation angst to see a bold new world.
I want to boldly go where no one has gone before, but I would like there to be cold beer and free wireless when we get there.
Somebody seems a wee bit grumpy today, true? You practical - ly yelled this post. Realistic-ally though, it’s likely to pass. :-)