The Biggest Threat to Fresh Ideas and Innovation

“Sacred cows make great steaks. ~ Unknown


One of the biggest threats to fresh ideas and innovation is the phrase, “We’ve always done it this way.” Did you know that people wore shoes for hundreds of years before someone finally took a fresh look and invented left shoes and right shoes?

It’s that way in business, too. Once the human mind accepts the status quo, we tend to form “blind spots” to new and better options.

A good coach conveys the attitude that “Everything is subject to change except our Core Values.”

Related: The Toxic Effects of Worrying

Encourage your team to question tradition and to imagine creative alternatives to the status quo. “Two out of ten hallowed operations would become more productive if done just the opposite or not at all,” wrote Peter Drucker. Let that insight spark your team’s creativity.