INTENT

Your innovation journey begins with seeing and deciding to take action on an opportunity. When I started digging into what encourages or discourages someone from taking such action, I thought the mechanics would be straightforward: someone sees an opportunity and either acts or decides to let it pass because they don’t want to seize it. In other words, that person either possesses or lacks intent. But I discovered its influence is far more profound and pervasive than you might think.

If you do not carry with you the intent to innovate, research shows you become literally less likely to spot an opportunity. But even if you do recognize an opportunity, the lack of intention will make you unlikely to move on it.  

So, what is going to stop you from taking the initial action that will put you on the path to innovating from within? What is stopping your people from seeing and acting on the opportunities around them?

The research points to a clear answer.

One, or more, of three limiting beliefs are at play, detering you willingness to take action:

• Behavioral beliefs: The belief that the actions that would be required would result in a desirable outcome. You are asking yourself, “Would this work?” and answering yes or no.

• Control beliefs: The belief that you are capable of taking the actions that would achieve the outcome. That you can accomplish the task, that you have the self-efficacy required. You are asking yourself, “Am I capable?” and answering yes or no.

• Normative beliefs: How you believe other people would react if you take the action necessary, and the degree to which that influences you. You are asking yourself, “What would my colleagues or friends or mother say?”

In the book, I outline a self-coaching process for untangling what is holding back your or your people’s intent. In this toolkit attached, you will walk through a shorter version of that exercise. Complete this to begin re-activating the natural creative curiosity and drive of yourself and your people.