Shut Up and Start a Revolution
June 19, 2009 – 11:07 am
I often get the remark, after a speech or something, that “I can’t innovate at my company because…” — And then you get a lot of different endings to that starter, some printable, some not. Mostly folks say they can’t because their organization doesn’t want innovation, or isn’t structured to allow innovation. I know the feeling, I’ve been in those positions, and, it’s BS.
I now say to those folks, Shut Up and Start a Revolution. I mean an Innovation Revolution.
If you have ideas, express them, and let the chips fall where they may. If people slam your ideas, and they will, shake it off like a wet duck and dive into those waters again. Keep expressing until people say they are sick of hearing your ideas, then express more. They’ll give in just to shut you up. Ideas are powerful, have lots of money-making good ones and it will be hard to ignore you.
If it starts a conflict, start a conflict. Conflict avoidance is where are lot of problems fester into real company killers. If you are a nice person, great, stay that way, and, still don’t avoid a needed conflict, especially if it’s limiting you and your companies potential.
Don’t ask, just do it. It’s funny how boldness, action, and success take the wind out of resistors sails. Start something. If you do it with passion and enthusiasm people will follow you and help you.
Don’t worry about being fired. Getting fired is often the best possible outcome. If you get fired for innovating, you should be working somewhere else. Most great innovators get fired at some point. Even Steve Jobs got fired — from his own company.
Get educated on how to start a revolution. Read my book on creative problem solving (Jack’s Notebook), read Geoffrey Moore, read Guy Kawasaki, read about Steve Jobs, Dean Kamen, and Woody Norris.
Get inspired.
And quit complaining! Just shut up and start a revolution. Today.
10 Responses to “Shut Up and Start a Revolution”
Very inspiring Greg! I think a fear of failure is what holds most people back (myself included) from moving on their ideas. You’re right that the cure is to simply do something! Talk with a colleague, work on a prototype, or if it’s simple enough just try it today. I’m reminded of Seth Godin’s idea of “soft innovations”, little things that can make a huge impact on your business, if only we’d try.
By Brett Tilford on Jun 19, 2009
Yep, just do it. Sometimes it’s overt, sometimes it’s covert, but do it.
Personally I can’t help myself but I understand why people are reluctant to rock the boat. An example I often use of the good that can come from conflict, and one that everyone can relate to, is music. Music w/out dissonance is beyond boring. If you want to hear what I’m talking about, go to a piano and just play the white keys.
By James Hipkin on Jun 20, 2009
Thanks for the comments Brett and James. Fear is a Huge inhibitor to innovation. Lots of smart people out there who won’t dip their toe in the water of invention because of fear. Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of getting fired, fear of their co-workers, etc. Hope, trust, and love are the antidotes, and, easier said then done.
Love the musical analogy. One of the things that makes jazz and blues interesting is the “blue” or just-off notes. Conflict is something every Innovation team needs to go through in order to be high functioning, they need to accept those blue notes in order to make better team music.
By GREGG FRALEY on Jun 21, 2009
Tom Peters says that getting angry is a good way to begin the innovation process.. You also phrase this as passion and boldness… fuel for the kind of change we need. Thanks.. great article.
By Jill Badonsky on Jun 21, 2009
A lot of leaders, especially in companies that are doing well in their industry, do not think that their company has to be highly innovative. Cost containment, service and quality, they assume, will preserve the status quo. They fail to realize that almost all markets in a capitalist community become commodity-market as they mature. If you can’t be the Walmart of your industry (and every industry has one ––– the lowest cost competitor) you’d best innovate or you’ll become Sears.
By Kay Plantes on Jun 22, 2009
Excellent! I work for one of Canada’s biggest companies and I’m thankful that we value innovation…. not that we couldn’t use more!
By Heather Cook on Dec 29, 2009
Thanks for your comment. Valuing innovation is a key value for Doing Innovation, so, you’ve got a good start.
By GREGG FRALEY on Dec 29, 2009
I absolutely agree with you, Gregg. It’s by doing this that I’ve had open conflict in may roles I’ve had and ended up moving on when the culture really didn’t adapt or adopt.
I only wish all the clients we came into contact with were open minded enough to cope with mavericks, catalysts or whatever we decide to call them.
By Stephen Collins on Jan 18, 2010
Thanks for your comment Stephen. A true innovator is going to be involved in conflict, let’s face that fact from the get go. My main point is to not let that stop you. Try to work through it and resolve it of course, but don’t let that stop the effort. And if it means moving on, then move on. There are companies, and clients, that appreciate innovators thinkers and do-ers, you can find them. Best wishes!
By GREGG FRALEY on Jan 18, 2010