Clay Christensen and his Innovator's DNA

Some time ago, I found an idea that has made me think a lot: you don't think yourself into a new way of acting, you act yourself into a new way of thinking. The truth is I can't remember where I came accross it, but then I read Clayton Christensen's last book, The Innovator's DNA and was surprised to see that it is one of the core ideas of the book: consistent practice produces mastery, and mastery makes for new habits or, in organizations, new capabilities. By developing heavy-duty discovery skills, we really are different. We act different, think different, and by doing so we can make a concrete difference.

Christensen argues that there are discovery skills (linked to innovation and disruption) and delivery skills (linked to efficiency). Against many innovation gurus, he gives the same importance to both, and he suggests taking a test to know one's own position regarding a few attributes of delivery and discovery. I took it, and it seems I have to improve in accuracy, perseverance, accountability and two or three other things. He also argues that we have to excel at everything. Why not?

After some time doing innovation projects for different clients, I tend to agree: it takes more than creativity, openness and positive attitude to become a good innovation leader. They are key skills, but they are not very useful if you are not action oriented and business focused at the same time, among other things.

In any case, at the end of the book, there is a five-step system to develop one's discovery skills (delivery skills you can get from other places like Stephen Covey or Larry Bossidy). This is the outline:

1. review priorities to see where you spend your time
2. assess your discovery skills systematically
3. identify a compelling innovation challenge that matters
4. practice your discovery skills ruthlessly
5. get a coach to support your development efforts.

Act like an innovator (a real one) and you will end up being an innovator (a real one).

Comments

[Jean-Dominique Bonnet]

Hola Joan,

Su blog es interesante; en relacion con la cita "we don't think ourselves into a new way of acting, we act ourselves into a new way of thinking", creo que pertenece al libro "Ejecución" de Larry Bossidy.

Atentamente,

Jean-Dominique Bonnet