How to Add Value with Initiative and Creativity

The Erosion of Novel Ideas & Perspectives As an investor, I'm surprised at how uncommon it is to encounter founders and fellow investors who hold distinct perspectives on the current market and the future of technology. In today's economic climate, heightened investment scrutiny has made fundraising more challenging for both founders and venture capitalists. This environment necessitates a higher level of creativity and original thought to distinguish oneself in today's saturated market. Here are a few strategies I employe to challenge my own beliefs to create new ones: 1. Engage proactively with contradicting perspectives Actively exploring and analyzing various perspectives, we can critically assess multiple points of view and hone our skills in recognizing subtle details and biases. 2. Embrace childlike curiosity - "Why" Children typically begin asking "why" around age two and continue until about five, a time when their experience is limited and their brains are rapidly developing. As adults, we should emulate their natural inquisitiveness to deepen our understanding of our reality. 3. Accept we're wrong most of the time History shows us that many long-held beliefs, even fundamental ones like gravity, have evolved with new discoveries. This teaches us a humbling lesson: we are often mistaken. Accepting this, we can foster an environment where questioning the norm is standard, leading to collaboration, creativity, and collective progress towards deeper understanding. 4. Innovation and discovery exists between the lines We often try to understand the world by dividing knowledge into separate categories, which can limit our perspective. Exploring the interplay between different ideas and disciplines unlocks opportunities for advancement and collaborative solutions. 5. Consume differently Our choices in what we read, listen to, and explore are often influenced by popular trends. To broaden your horizons, try something different: read a lesser-known book, listen to music from various cultures, and explore unlit corners of your environment. #curiosity #originality #innovation #challengingthestatusquo #ideas #insightoftheweek

🌟 Unleashing the Creative Spark: Strategies for a Sustained Innovation Journey 🌟 Throughout my innovation journey, I've discovered that we often bypass the necessary preconditions for nurturing creativity. It's a nuanced equilibrium, a blend of components that, when harmoniously combined, unleash our inventive spirits' full potential. Let me share with you the pivotal elements from my reflections: 1️⃣ Space: More than a physical corner, it's an expansive mindset. In my quest for creativity, I've found that both openness and curiosity are vital. Cultivating environments—be it physical, mental, or social—that promote broad thinking has been key. 2️⃣ Improvisation: The prowess to think swiftly and adapt spontaneously has been indispensable. Not merely confined to structured plans, but even more about gracefully navigating the unforeseen. 3️⃣ First Principles Thinking: Deconstructing complex issues to their essence and reassembling solutions from the bottom up has allowed me to innovate based on what genuinely works beyond assumptions. 4️⃣ Comfort in the Unknown: Embracing the lack of answers has led me to unconventional solutions. Lingering in uncertainty has been a gateway to exploring complex problems. 5️⃣ Safety for Autonomy: Free thought stems from a sense of security. It's in the safety of thought that the autonomy of the self is born, creating a sanctuary where ideas can thrive. 6️⃣ Embodiment: Acknowledging that our bodies are reservoirs of memories and insights, and learning to listen to its wisdom has opened unexpected paths for my creative thinking. 7️⃣ Dynamic Environment: Constantly stimulating and challenging my routine thought processes and perceptions has kept my mind flexible and open to new concepts. 8️⃣ Reflective Reservoir: I've learned that returning to past ideas with fresh eyes can transform dormant thoughts into renewed, actionable innovations. Some ideas also need time to evolve. 9️⃣ Time Travel: I tackle problems by envisioning the desired outcome and plotting the course backward. This method simplifies complexity, offering a clear, attainable plan for achieving objectives. 🔟 Boredom: I've embraced the lack of stimulation as a prelude to a creative surge. In the quiet, some idea seeds find fertile ground to sprout. 🔍 I'm curious about your strategies to tap into creativity and flow. What practices fuel your creative engine? Do any of the practices above resonate with you? I look forward to reading your insights and hope we can refine our collective approach to sustaining creativity and innovation.

By day, I was leading product, then marketing and comms teams in Silicon Valley tech and by night, I did something most people wouldn't (and should!)... Improv and stand-up comedy with a stint at Second City for sketch. Yes, it taught me so many things about writing, story and creativity. More than that...it transformed how I think about story and innovation - individually and collectively as a team or culture. Yes, both will make you funnier. That's NOT even The Holy Grail (which is a classic, amiright?!) Ever curious, I thought, "why can't teams and cultures be like this?" They can. Here's the thing... Innovation and storytelling in teams happen when trust, connection and courage exist. Those first 2 help with courage. If your teams aren't innovating and telling bigger brilliant stories...it's not because they don't have them. It's that humans NEED a net of trust and connection to sustain courage. The biggest innovations, stories, ideas happen when courage fills the air... Leaders, entrepreneurs, any one really....HACK YOUR INNOVATION #1 focus on increasing trust (positive laughter w/o judgment builds connection, trust). When we laugh together, we sew deeper emotional bonds. #2 build team goals and a team net to increase output (stand-up is great and even then you can build with your audience, ex: crowd work, you are creating WITH your audience). THINK improv, it's all YES AND with teams. Two big things to work on: "I got your back." Make your partner look amazing! That means experimentation and supporting new ideas. Relax, you don't have to marry them. Just date them respectfully - you don't have to call them in the morning! #3 Welcome experimentation, humor and reframe what "fail" means - have open convos with teams. 1 and 2 help build a NET. It doesn't mean no bad ideas. It means Bad ideas are welcome as part of a process to get to GREAT ideas. You gotta kiss some ideas frogs to get to those princess ideas (yeah, I changed the metaphor!). WORK WITH ME I help create braver leaders, teams and cultures so people and innovation thrive. From inspirational and humorous talks, keynotes to facilitated learning programs, let's increase brave innovation capacity WHILE making people happier, healthier too. My book, "Stop Boring Me!" is on Amazon and it's all about transformation and innovation with laughter and improvisation. Humor is the ultimate algorithm(SM). Kathy-ism. YOUR TURN How do you channel your laughter into bravery? #keynotespeaker #organizationaldevelopment #innovation #highperformingteams #storytelling #laughter

Creating a culture of innovation starts with making space for it. I learned that innovation requires time that is untethered from the daily grind. In my latest initiative, we instituted "innovation hours"—a set time each week when the team could explore new ideas without the pressure of immediate deadlines or deliverables. During these hours, the usual hierarchy flattened. Everyone, from interns to executives, had an equal voice. The diversity of thought led to some of our most creative projects. It wasn't about forcing creativity but providing the right conditions for it to flourish. Encouraging this practice showed me that when you give people the space to think creatively, they will. Make innovation hours a part of your company's routine and watch the seeds of creativity grow into something extraordinary.