Last week I went to my optician, as I really needed new spectacles to replace the old ones I had made about five years ago. I went through all possible eyes checks to update the requirements for the lenses – the optician I go to has state of the art technology to check the vision – and then time came to choose the frame.
The very knowledgeable guy was showing me the whole assortment allowing be to pick quickly something that was looking fine at a reasonable price. While chatting he took me to the sunglasses section – and here I got my inspiration moment.
The optician I normally refer to is really sensitive to innovation while being conscious of the price level he can keep. He was showing me sunglasses with a metal frame which change color when exposed to a temperature above 30 degrees. He took out some with a sued water-resistant frame. How impressed I was…!!!
Stopping thinking for a second, I actually realized I was familiar with those technologies. As mum of 3 boys I have plenty of changing color cars around the house. And as handbag addicted living in the Netherlands I know about the waterproof materials. However creativity is not only about starting from a (scary) blank page and bring up something totally new and different.
LESSON 1: Innovation can generate by using something that already exists in a new way: for example by applying existing solutions to a different field or context.
For someone like me – very rational and logic who gets slightly panic any time the word “creativity” is floating around – this thought is a HUGE relief. Suddenly I realized creativity is not about being able to make a wonderful painting and the verb “leverage” is one of my favorite words by now. From this perspective, creativity and innovation appear to be more linked to the ability to organize and find relationships among existing things.
Leaving the optician’s shop I was left as well with a great sense of confidence, as I felt my eyes were checked with state of the art technology and I found the perfect most innovative frame. In my perception, the optician was truly a very innovative person, despite he did not get any patent granted.
LESSON 2: “being innovative” means “create something new” as much as it means “recognize good ideas and embrace them”. Being innovative means (as well) fostering new ideas and sharing them to potentially kick off the next cycle of innovation.
My third thought driving home was that for how much I had learned from an hour spent buying new spectacles. Impressive.
LESSON 3: a good idea is a good idea, whomever has it. Do not close the door to suggestions coming from someone just because they are not close to your field of expertise. Maybe a fresh look at a problem you have been dealing with for long will give you the small change in perspective you need to find a superb solution.
Result of my morning: new great spectacles, a boost of self-confidence (actually I am creative, even if being unable to paint) and a great idea to share.
If you want to learn more about creativity:
Steal like an artist, Austin Kleon, 2012 Workman Publishing Company
Creative Mischief, Dave Trott, 2009 LOAF marketing ltd
Think outside of your “adult” habit and get into playing and experimenting:
http://www.ted.com/talks/tim_brown_on_creativity_and_play/transcript?language=en
