Innovation Anti-Pattern:
This time will be different
sounds like:
“We will run this like a regular project.”
description:
THIS time will be different. Because THIS time we really intend to do it the RIGHT way. We will use the same people, governing structure, approval processes, funding mechanisms, timelines, development tools, vendors and partners... but because we WANT it to succeed more this time, it will be different. Just like last time.
Altitude sickness (AKA Toe in the water)
sounds like:
“Lets prove we can X before we move any further” -or- “What's the next thing we can do to know X for sure?”
description:
Everyone who hears an idea wants to make sure it's "good enough" to bring to their boss. So, for every layer up the organization, additional "proof" is required, and the timeline expands each time someone new hears it. When the concept finally reaches the official "decision maker" several things may have already happened: 1) The original concept may have been "tweaked" for so many audiences along its journey, that it has lost what made it worthwhile to begin with. 2) The original team or person who authored the concept may not even be there when it is presented.
It's an understandable human response to something novel appearing in the middle of managing a career. If you draw an org chart, and count the number of people between an idea's originator and the final approver (usually the CEO for breakthrough concepts), you can pretty reliably guess the likelihood that an idea will become a successful product. The irony of course is that the ideas with the biggest potential have the least likelihood of making it to the people who most want to find them.
Pet Show (AKA "Bake Off")
sounds like:
"Lets get everyone's best idea and we'll pick the winner to get funded!”
description:
Imagine a small town. One day a sign is posted saying there will be a "Pet Show" at the local movie theater and the best pet will win a prize! People in town spread word quickly and the excitement grows. They spend money on grooming and fancy collars to make their pets look their best. They practice for hours on end to showcase their pet's talents to try and win the prize. On the day of the showcase the theater is packed and people applaud as the pets strut their stuff. Everyone applauds when a little girl with a poodle wins the blue ribbon. Over the next few days however, the excitement turns sour when word spreads that the little girl is the daughter of the theater owner, and his wife and next door neighbor were the judges! People feel cheated and complain they will never enter another pet show.
Hold my Beer
sounds like:
“You know what would be even better?”
description:
The only thing better than someone's hard work on a great concept, is a forum where their co-workers and superiors can explain all the ways they would do it to make it better! A good ol' contest of egos is exactly what is needed to propel ideas into greatness!
