Forward-thinking individuals have a number of things in common.
For one, they innovate—usually not once, but multiple times over. Steve Jobs wasn’t known for just one product. He was known for a handful. Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk weren’t satisfied with one success story. They’ve engineered dozens. And while this might seem like “business as usual” for these types of individuals, the reality is, most people struggle to be innovative more than once.
By Winston Ibrahim and Bill Nottingham
AT A GLANCE:
Success may come from the fact that one is able to make a single innovation. A very successful person is able to innovate more than once, often many times. Fast Company has identified six qualities common to great innovators. Following is a sample of their list:
● Clarity of Vision and an Endless Pursuit of Knowledge
The innovative are curious and open-minded people whose thinking is not bound by average strictures. They reject the status quo, often so completely, that the average person can be put off.
● Understanding They Need Help in Order to Build Their Vision
Great innovators are not solo artists. While an initial idea may be theirs and they are in charge, it is unlikely that their vision will come together without help. New ideas are rarely realized without a team working together and more people means new and different ideas, which are the core of innovation.
● Open-Mindedness and a Willingness to Change at Any Second
A great NFL running back needs to be able to run straight ahead towards the end zone, but also be able to stop, pivot, change directions or leap over a defender when the saturation requires. Innovation is as important on the football field as it is in business. A great innovator needs to push their ideas forward with absolute confidence, but also be flexible enough to change direction when needed. They have to be confident in their great idea, but also smart enough to recognize when someone else has a better one.
Head over to Fast Company to read the full story.