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When Creativity Kills Innovation: Finding the Puny Ideas that Work | David Owens | TEDxNashville


okay good evening uh I spent a lot of

okay good evening uh I spent a lot of time around people who think about

time around people who think about

time around people who think about innovation who do innovation and I come

innovation who do innovation and I come

innovation who do innovation and I come to the SAP conclusion it’s been a long

to the SAP conclusion it’s been a long

to the SAP conclusion it’s been a long time thinking about it and actually

time thinking about it and actually

time thinking about it and actually there’s two parts to it the first part

there’s two parts to it the first part

there’s two parts to it the first part is I think that creativity is overrated

is I think that creativity is overrated

is I think that creativity is overrated sorry ah the other thing I think is that

sorry ah the other thing I think is that

sorry ah the other thing I think is that actually it’s so bad it may actually get

actually it’s so bad it may actually get

actually it’s so bad it may actually get in the way of innovation what you think

in the way of innovation what you think

in the way of innovation what you think oh yeah you don’t like that don’t like

oh yeah you don’t like that don’t like

oh yeah you don’t like that don’t like that idea

that idea

that idea so here’s here let me let me talk about

so here’s here let me let me talk about

so here’s here let me let me talk about first let me start with a difference

first let me start with a difference

first let me start with a difference between creativity innovation I think

between creativity innovation I think

between creativity innovation I think it’s worth saying I talked to some

it’s worth saying I talked to some

it’s worth saying I talked to some people they seem to think the words are

people they seem to think the words are

people they seem to think the words are interchangeable or synonymous and that’s

interchangeable or synonymous and that’s

interchangeable or synonymous and that’s okay but what happens is you lose power

okay but what happens is you lose power

okay but what happens is you lose power you lose power of explanation if you can

you lose power of explanation if you can

you lose power of explanation if you can the distinct to say well this is

the distinct to say well this is

the distinct to say well this is creativity and that’s innovation you

creativity and that’s innovation you

creativity and that’s innovation you know when you need each one you know how

know when you need each one you know how

know when you need each one you know how to tell them apart you know when to

to tell them apart you know when to

to tell them apart you know when to apply each one and so it’s important to

apply each one and so it’s important to

apply each one and so it’s important to know the difference so what I want to

know the difference so what I want to

know the difference so what I want to for what I’m going to talk about what I

for what I’m going to talk about what I

for what I’m going to talk about what I want to say is that creativity is really

want to say is that creativity is really

want to say is that creativity is really about this having an idea there’s lots

about this having an idea there’s lots

about this having an idea there’s lots of forms of creativity but we’ll talk

of forms of creativity but we’ll talk

of forms of creativity but we’ll talk about the generative idea so I have this

about the generative idea so I have this

about the generative idea so I have this idea comes out of nowhere innovation on

idea comes out of nowhere innovation on

idea comes out of nowhere innovation on the other hand is going to be the

the other hand is going to be the

the other hand is going to be the process or the the sense of taking an

process or the the sense of taking an

process or the the sense of taking an idea and turning it into something

idea and turning it into something

idea and turning it into something something meaningful in the world

something meaningful in the world

something meaningful in the world something that’s adopted something

something that’s adopted something

something that’s adopted something that’s changed some kind of new thing

that’s changed some kind of new thing

that’s changed some kind of new thing that makes the world a better place so

that makes the world a better place so

that makes the world a better place so what I want to do is start with playing

what I want to do is start with playing

what I want to do is start with playing a game called

a game called

a game called how creative is this so I want to show

how creative is this so I want to show

how creative is this so I want to show you some things I want you to tell me

you some things I want you to tell me

you some things I want you to tell me how creative you think this is so I pod

how creative you think this is so I pod

how creative you think this is so I pod what do you think

what do you think

what do you think very creative yeah super creative right

very creative yeah super creative right

very creative yeah super creative right no not at all not at all

no not at all not at all

no not at all not at all did did Apple event music no right did

did did Apple event music no right did

did did Apple event music no right did they invent white plastic stuff no did

they invent white plastic stuff no did

they invent white plastic stuff no did they invent digitizing music no no no

they invent digitizing music no no no

they invent digitizing music no no no and actually there was about three years

and actually there was about three years

and actually there was about three years before the iPod was the diamond Rio came

before the iPod was the diamond Rio came

before the iPod was the diamond Rio came out it was the first commercially

out it was the first commercially

out it was the first commercially available mp3 player and all Apple did

available mp3 player and all Apple did

available mp3 player and all Apple did was make it white I guess

was make it white I guess

was make it white I guess that okay you got that right

that okay you got that right

that okay you got that right another one I have another one for you

another one I have another one for you

you’ve heard of Chris stone jean-claude

you’ve heard of Chris stone jean-claude yeah yeah they rat right there rap

yeah yeah they rat right there rap

yeah yeah they rat right there rap Islands how creative is this what do you

Islands how creative is this what do you

Islands how creative is this what do you think super creative rapping some

think super creative rapping some

think super creative rapping some islands give a rap a Christmas present

islands give a rap a Christmas present

islands give a rap a Christmas present yeah rapping is not that creative is it

yeah rapping is not that creative is it

yeah rapping is not that creative is it maybe finding it was 5.6 million square

maybe finding it was 5.6 million square

maybe finding it was 5.6 million square feet of hot pink polypropylene they call

feet of hot pink polypropylene they call

feet of hot pink polypropylene they call up Home Depot can I have a hot pink

up Home Depot can I have a hot pink

up Home Depot can I have a hot pink polypropylene Assessor we’ll need a

polypropylene Assessor we’ll need a

polypropylene Assessor we’ll need a deposit on that right

deposit on that right

deposit on that right is it well not super creative is it

is it well not super creative is it

is it well not super creative is it because they had wrapped all kinds of

because they had wrapped all kinds of

because they had wrapped all kinds of stuff before that so what’s there here’s

stuff before that so what’s there here’s

stuff before that so what’s there here’s another one the post-it creative oh come

another one the post-it creative oh come

another one the post-it creative oh come on people come on you don’t want to go

on people come on you don’t want to go

on people come on you don’t want to go there right

there right

there right bad people IQ no bad adhesive did they

bad people IQ no bad adhesive did they

bad people IQ no bad adhesive did they invent them is that creative too small

invent them is that creative too small

invent them is that creative too small to write on is that creative all right

to write on is that creative all right

to write on is that creative all right ugly color what do you think right okay

ugly color what do you think right okay

ugly color what do you think right okay puny puny idea actually I mean well you

puny puny idea actually I mean well you

puny puny idea actually I mean well you know post-its what were they they were

know post-its what were they they were

know post-its what were they they were basically displays paper clips and

basically displays paper clips and

basically displays paper clips and staples and tape not creative at all now

staples and tape not creative at all now

staples and tape not creative at all now on the other hand puny on the other hand

on the other hand puny on the other hand

on the other hand puny on the other hand there are some things sometimes a really

there are some things sometimes a really

there are some things sometimes a really really creative things and if I talk

really creative things and if I talk

really creative things and if I talk about these things well we say hey think

about these things well we say hey think

about these things well we say hey think outside the box those were not outside

outside the box those were not outside

outside the box those were not outside the box ideas there were not things that

the box ideas there were not things that

the box ideas there were not things that were way out there that were blue sky

were way out there that were blue sky

were way out there that were blue sky that were you know start from anything

that were you know start from anything

that were you know start from anything so I’ll show you some ideas that were

so I’ll show you some ideas that were

so I’ll show you some ideas that were think outside the box and you tell me

think outside the box and you tell me

think outside the box and you tell me how creative was it the segue what do

how creative was it the segue what do

how creative was it the segue what do you think so they were going to sell

you think so they were going to sell

you think so they were going to sell more segways than they’ve sold iPhones

more segways than they’ve sold iPhones

more segways than they’ve sold iPhones you have your iPhone where’s your Segway

you have your iPhone where’s your Segway

you have your iPhone where’s your Segway all right well I saw one down in

all right well I saw one down in

all right well I saw one down in Brentwood

it’s a real picture of really taking the

it’s a real picture of really taking the really in brentwood hate to say and so

really in brentwood hate to say and so

really in brentwood hate to say and so there are a few of them around a few

there are a few of them around a few

there are a few of them around a few people are using these segways but it

people are using these segways but it

people are using these segways but it was suit this thing was going to

was suit this thing was going to

was suit this thing was going to displace cars it wasn’t in this place

displace cars it wasn’t in this place

displace cars it wasn’t in this place airplanes it wasn’t going to displace

airplanes it wasn’t going to displace

airplanes it wasn’t going to displace your legs i mean you wouldn’t have to do

your legs i mean you wouldn’t have to do

your legs i mean you wouldn’t have to do any like you could actually just take it

any like you could actually just take it

any like you could actually just take it all so a great idea ignored we don’t

all so a great idea ignored we don’t

all so a great idea ignored we don’t have them where are they worried we’d

have them where are they worried we’d

have them where are they worried we’d all didn’t come here with them came here

all didn’t come here with them came here

all didn’t come here with them came here with Luber not with segways there’s

with Luber not with segways there’s

with Luber not with segways there’s another one actually i had in a friend

another one actually i had in a friend

another one actually i had in a friend we had talked about this we invented

we had talked about this we invented

we had talked about this we invented very early on the first hands-free

very early on the first hands-free

very early on the first hands-free headset yeah and that was exactly the

headset yeah and that was exactly the

headset yeah and that was exactly the response I got the ridicule right at the

response I got the ridicule right at the

response I got the ridicule right at the ridicule yeah let me show you another

ridicule yeah let me show you another

ridicule yeah let me show you another one here I got another really exciting

one here I got another really exciting

one here I got another really exciting far-out thing so this stuff is called

far-out thing so this stuff is called

far-out thing so this stuff is called someone grow it actually it’s a sort of

someone grow it actually it’s a sort of

someone grow it actually it’s a sort of a fertilizer like thing it has time

a fertilizer like thing it has time

a fertilizer like thing it has time release nitrogen it absorbs water the

release nitrogen it absorbs water the

release nitrogen it absorbs water the water slowly goes into your plants so

water slowly goes into your plants so

water slowly goes into your plants so you can see how you put on top of your

you can see how you put on top of your

you can see how you put on top of your plant stops weeds from coming up so a

plant stops weeds from coming up so a

plant stops weeds from coming up so a lot better than roundup and things like

lot better than roundup and things like

lot better than roundup and things like that

that

that in fact so and grows so awesome it’s

in fact so and grows so awesome it’s

in fact so and grows so awesome it’s made of 100% recycled human hair yuck

made of 100% recycled human hair yuck

made of 100% recycled human hair yuck okay right that’s worse than puny right

okay right that’s worse than puny right

okay right that’s worse than puny right that’s us but it’s just plain old yeah

that’s us but it’s just plain old yeah

that’s us but it’s just plain old yeah so if you take these examples and begin

so if you take these examples and begin

so if you take these examples and begin to think about what they mean I think

to think about what they mean I think

to think about what they mean I think what I’m suggesting is that big big

what I’m suggesting is that big big

what I’m suggesting is that big big creative ideas like if you have those

creative ideas like if you have those

creative ideas like if you have those it’s like they get stomped I get crushed

it’s like they get stomped I get crushed

it’s like they get stomped I get crushed they get ignored they get you know they

they get ignored they get you know they

they get ignored they get you know they be people don’t pay any attention

be people don’t pay any attention

be people don’t pay any attention it’s the puny ideas actually that seem

it’s the puny ideas actually that seem

it’s the puny ideas actually that seem to get through you know the bad adhesive

to get through you know the bad adhesive

to get through you know the bad adhesive the little paper the things like that

the little paper the things like that

the little paper the things like that and so maybe we sort of have a little

and so maybe we sort of have a little

and so maybe we sort of have a little bit backwards and so as I was thinking

bit backwards and so as I was thinking

bit backwards and so as I was thinking about this really thinking about like

about this really thinking about like

about this really thinking about like why would it be that small stuff seems

why would it be that small stuff seems

why would it be that small stuff seems to work in big stuff seems to not work

to work in big stuff seems to not work

to work in big stuff seems to not work like wow and so I thought about this and

like wow and so I thought about this and

like wow and so I thought about this and maybe other others of you know this so

maybe other others of you know this so

maybe other others of you know this so in my own creative career which probably

in my own creative career which probably

in my own creative career which probably started like second grade teacher would

started like second grade teacher would

started like second grade teacher would say hey let’s do some art I’m thinking

say hey let’s do some art I’m thinking

say hey let’s do some art I’m thinking okay where’s the duct tape like I need a

okay where’s the duct tape like I need a

okay where’s the duct tape like I need a hammer I need some clay I need where’s

hammer I need some clay I need where’s

hammer I need some clay I need where’s the bandsaw where’s the bandsaw right

the bandsaw where’s the bandsaw right

the bandsaw where’s the bandsaw right and so the teacher says ah sorry paper

and so the teacher says ah sorry paper

and so the teacher says ah sorry paper and crayons

and crayons

and crayons thinking like it’s like that’s so

thinking like it’s like that’s so

thinking like it’s like that’s so constrained it’s like yeah that is you

constrained it’s like yeah that is you

constrained it’s like yeah that is you run an advertising firm someone comes

run an advertising firm someone comes

run an advertising firm someone comes that client comes says hey we want

that client comes says hey we want

that client comes says hey we want something amazing something like way out

something amazing something like way out

something amazing something like way out there something really cool you have to

there something really cool you have to

there something really cool you have to ask like this is a TV ad is the print ad

ask like this is a TV ad is the print ad

ask like this is a TV ad is the print ad is this a banner ad like how are we

is this a banner ad like how are we

is this a banner ad like how are we going to do this again the kind of

going to do this again the kind of

going to do this again the kind of constraints like the things that hold it

constraints like the things that hold it

constraints like the things that hold it in in order to be successful you have to

in in order to be successful you have to

in in order to be successful you have to think about constraints so I started

think about constraints so I started

think about constraints so I started thinking about it in that way came

thinking about it in that way came

thinking about it in that way came across a product here I actually worked

across a product here I actually worked

across a product here I actually worked at a firm we worked on this product and

at a firm we worked on this product and

at a firm we worked on this product and it was kind of interesting the problem

it was kind of interesting the problem

it was kind of interesting the problem of the Palm Pilot didn’t remember the

of the Palm Pilot didn’t remember the

of the Palm Pilot didn’t remember the Palm Pilot yeah yeah Palm Pilot yeah

Palm Pilot yeah yeah Palm Pilot yeah

Palm Pilot yeah yeah Palm Pilot yeah it’s very popular product actually one

it’s very popular product actually one

it’s very popular product actually one of the problems of the palm Pratt was

of the problems of the palm Pratt was

of the problems of the palm Pratt was handwriting recognition and so most

handwriting recognition and so most

handwriting recognition and so most companies Apple was one tried to

companies Apple was one tried to

companies Apple was one tried to approach it with just sort of this

approach it with just sort of this

approach it with just sort of this hardcore like let’s be super creative

hardcore like let’s be super creative

hardcore like let’s be super creative let’s put a big old computer on there

let’s put a big old computer on there

let’s put a big old computer on there let’s make that happen and Jeff Hawkins

let’s make that happen and Jeff Hawkins

let’s make that happen and Jeff Hawkins the inventor of the Palm Pilot had the

the inventor of the Palm Pilot had the

the inventor of the Palm Pilot had the puniest idea ever he said since it’s so

puniest idea ever he said since it’s so

puniest idea ever he said since it’s so hard for people so hard for computers to

hard for people so hard for computers to

hard for people so hard for computers to understand handwriting because sometimes

understand handwriting because sometimes

understand handwriting because sometimes you write this way sometimes write that

you write this way sometimes write that

you write this way sometimes write that way sometimes for a little hard on the

way sometimes for a little hard on the

way sometimes for a little hard on the top of the eye right he said like what

top of the eye right he said like what

top of the eye right he said like what let’s not do that let’s teach everyone a

let’s not do that let’s teach everyone a

let’s not do that let’s teach everyone a new way to write that’s pretty puny

new way to write that’s pretty puny

new way to write that’s pretty puny isn’t it it worked and it was took about

isn’t it it worked and it was took about

isn’t it it worked and it was took about 15 minutes he sort of got pretty good at

15 minutes he sort of got pretty good at

15 minutes he sort of got pretty good at it was kind of sort of something to do

it was kind of sort of something to do

it was kind of sort of something to do he’d give another example this is the

he’d give another example this is the

he’d give another example this is the grill Walker party on the front propane

grill Walker party on the front propane

grill Walker party on the front propane on the back right yeah okay you got that

on the back right yeah okay you got that

on the back right yeah okay you got that right and so with the grill Walker this

right and so with the grill Walker this

right and so with the grill Walker this is in Germany and in the Berlin the

is in Germany and in the Berlin the

is in Germany and in the Berlin the grill Walker so the grill Walker’s walk

grill Walker so the grill Walker’s walk

grill Walker so the grill Walker’s walk around and they sell hot sausage

around and they sell hot sausage

around and they sell hot sausage bratwurst in fact and the it’s kind of

bratwurst in fact and the it’s kind of

bratwurst in fact and the it’s kind of actually a puny I it looks awesome but

actually a puny I it looks awesome but

actually a puny I it looks awesome but it’s really just a puny idea I mean did

it’s really just a puny idea I mean did

it’s really just a puny idea I mean did they invent bratwurst new did they

they invent bratwurst new did they

they invent bratwurst new did they invent grilling stuff no do they invent

invent grilling stuff no do they invent

invent grilling stuff no do they invent taking food to hungry people no they

taking food to hungry people no they

taking food to hungry people no they didn’t and so one thing you may be

didn’t and so one thing you may be

didn’t and so one thing you may be wondering what’s the question that pops

wondering what’s the question that pops

wondering what’s the question that pops right into your mind why on earth is he

right into your mind why on earth is he

right into your mind why on earth is he carrying it why not just put on a cart

carrying it why not just put on a cart

carrying it why not just put on a cart and drive it around well it turns out

and drive it around well it turns out

and drive it around well it turns out the puny idea here is that the health

the puny idea here is that the health

the puny idea here is that the health codes are written in a way that if you

codes are written in a way that if you

codes are written in a way that if you carry the thing it’s called food vending

carry the thing it’s called food vending

carry the thing it’s called food vending if you touches the ground it’s called

if you touches the ground it’s called

if you touches the ground it’s called food preparation do you think there’s a

food preparation do you think there’s a

food preparation do you think there’s a difference all kinds of difference all

difference all kinds of difference all

difference all kinds of difference all right because you need

right because you need

right because you need eggs you need to sink you need to handle

eggs you need to sink you need to handle

eggs you need to sink you need to handle hand-washing okay never mind I’m not

hand-washing okay never mind I’m not

hand-washing okay never mind I’m not gonna not gonna go there so next time

gonna not gonna go there so next time

gonna not gonna go there so next time you jump eat eat up from the grill

you jump eat eat up from the grill

you jump eat eat up from the grill Walker okay so once again so in think

Walker okay so once again so in think

Walker okay so once again so in think about like why does innovation work with

about like why does innovation work with

about like why does innovation work with puny ideas why does it work with small

puny ideas why does it work with small

puny ideas why does it work with small ideas so let me try this out on here’s

ideas so let me try this out on here’s

ideas so let me try this out on here’s where I am so far am i thinking about

where I am so far am i thinking about

where I am so far am i thinking about this I’m thinking about constraints I’m

this I’m thinking about constraints I’m

this I’m thinking about constraints I’m thinking about condition so if it

thinking about condition so if it

thinking about condition so if it innovation is going to work an

innovation is going to work an

innovation is going to work an innovation could be anything it’s just

innovation could be anything it’s just

innovation could be anything it’s just anything that makes the world a better

anything that makes the world a better

anything that makes the world a better place it could be new sidewalks that are

place it could be new sidewalks that are

place it could be new sidewalks that are 3d printed it we talked about it can be

3d printed it we talked about it can be

3d printed it we talked about it can be better schools it can be a new widget it

better schools it can be a new widget it

better schools it can be a new widget it can be all kinds of fordable housing all

can be all kinds of fordable housing all

can be all kinds of fordable housing all those things or innovations and all

those things or innovations and all

those things or innovations and all those can take place the one thing we

those can take place the one thing we

those can take place the one thing we don’t we tend to forget is that take

don’t we tend to forget is that take

don’t we tend to forget is that take place in a place where there are certain

place in a place where there are certain

place in a place where there are certain conditions that have to be true there’s

conditions that have to be true there’s

conditions that have to be true there’s certain constraints on what’s possible

certain constraints on what’s possible

certain constraints on what’s possible for innovation so let me talk about the

for innovation so let me talk about the

for innovation so let me talk about the innovation process here so innovations

innovation process here so innovations

innovation process here so innovations tend to start with an idea so there’s

tend to start with an idea so there’s

tend to start with an idea so there’s always a creative idea and that’s the

always a creative idea and that’s the

always a creative idea and that’s the creativity part and we can all have

creativity part and we can all have

creativity part and we can all have ideas we could sit here and have a

ideas we could sit here and have a

ideas we could sit here and have a probably four hundred thousand ideas in

probably four hundred thousand ideas in

probably four hundred thousand ideas in about twenty minutes because there’s

about twenty minutes because there’s

about twenty minutes because there’s enough of us here to do that but nothing

enough of us here to do that but nothing

enough of us here to do that but nothing would change nothing would get done so

would change nothing would get done so

would change nothing would get done so you start with the idea what happens

you start with the idea what happens

you start with the idea what happens next well what happens next is you need

next well what happens next is you need

next well what happens next is you need support for the idea you need to make

support for the idea you need to make

support for the idea you need to make the idea better someone says Dave don’t

the idea better someone says Dave don’t

the idea better someone says Dave don’t be like that do it like that or here let

be like that do it like that or here let

be like that do it like that or here let me give you some money for that thing

me give you some money for that thing

me give you some money for that thing let me help you we all know there are

let me help you we all know there are

let me help you we all know there are situations where we may have great ideas

situations where we may have great ideas

situations where we may have great ideas and we’re just afraid to tell people

and we’re just afraid to tell people

and we’re just afraid to tell people because there’s maybe a toxic

because there’s maybe a toxic

because there’s maybe a toxic environment because of the way the

environment because of the way the

environment because of the way the group’s work and so for a good idea to

group’s work and so for a good idea to

group’s work and so for a good idea to get next to the next stage certainly we

get next to the next stage certainly we

get next to the next stage certainly we need support from other people once we

need support from other people once we

need support from other people once we have support we need some kind of

have support we need some kind of

have support we need some kind of ability to execute the idea and usually

ability to execute the idea and usually

ability to execute the idea and usually we use organizations organizations or

we use organizations organizations or

we use organizations organizations or the mechanism for executing an idea and

the mechanism for executing an idea and

the mechanism for executing an idea and different organizations can execute

different organizations can execute

different organizations can execute different ideas if you make potato chips

different ideas if you make potato chips

different ideas if you make potato chips you don’t make computer chips that’s

you don’t make computer chips that’s

you don’t make computer chips that’s very different right well I mean it’s

very different right well I mean it’s

very different right well I mean it’s pretty obvious hopefully you then need a

pretty obvious hopefully you then need a

pretty obvious hopefully you then need a market you need people or someone who

market you need people or someone who

market you need people or someone who says I want you know I want that someone

says I want you know I want that someone

says I want you know I want that someone who says like that I’ll change my life

who says like that I’ll change my life

who says like that I’ll change my life I’ll stand in line around the block for

I’ll stand in line around the block for

I’ll stand in line around the block for three days before you ship the first one

three days before you ship the first one

three days before you ship the first one I want that so badly so who is it who

I want that so badly so who is it who

I want that so badly so who is it who needs this thing and there’s always

needs this thing and there’s always

needs this thing and there’s always someone who has the

someone who has the

someone who has the the market the client for you then need

the market the client for you then need

the market the client for you then need to navigate regulation regulation can be

to navigate regulation regulation can be

to navigate regulation regulation can be formal regulation terms of like there’s

formal regulation terms of like there’s

formal regulation terms of like there’s a law against doing that human cloning

a law against doing that human cloning

a law against doing that human cloning for example there lots of laws against

for example there lots of laws against

for example there lots of laws against it but they’re also the kind of social

it but they’re also the kind of social

it but they’re also the kind of social control the kind of regulation that we

control the kind of regulation that we

control the kind of regulation that we have with each other like you know

have with each other like you know

have with each other like you know someone looks at you funny when you

someone looks at you funny when you

someone looks at you funny when you drive the Segway walking your dog I’m

drive the Segway walking your dog I’m

drive the Segway walking your dog I’m you know that kind of social control

you know that kind of social control

you know that kind of social control that kind of navigation and then finally

that kind of navigation and then finally

that kind of navigation and then finally in my view is this idea of the

in my view is this idea of the

in my view is this idea of the technology like the damn thing has to

technology like the damn thing has to

technology like the damn thing has to work right or also is on innovation and

work right or also is on innovation and

work right or also is on innovation and so it’s all these steps have to be done

so it’s all these steps have to be done

so it’s all these steps have to be done all these conditions what I call

all these conditions what I call

all these conditions what I call constraints have to be satisfied if

constraints have to be satisfied if

constraints have to be satisfied if innovation is going to work and so it’s

innovation is going to work and so it’s

innovation is going to work and so it’s not just about the idea so this idea of

not just about the idea so this idea of

not just about the idea so this idea of the big idea actually let’s keep it puny

the big idea actually let’s keep it puny

the big idea actually let’s keep it puny let’s keep it small and also if you look

let’s keep it small and also if you look

let’s keep it small and also if you look at this picture they asked you the

at this picture they asked you the

at this picture they asked you the question when someone says think outside

question when someone says think outside

question when someone says think outside the box what are they talking about what

the box what are they talking about what

the box what are they talking about what are they asking you to do they’re

are they asking you to do they’re

are they asking you to do they’re actually to sort of go find a place

actually to sort of go find a place

actually to sort of go find a place where it’s really hard to solve all of

where it’s really hard to solve all of

where it’s really hard to solve all of these constraints where it’s really

these constraints where it’s really

these constraints where it’s really difficult we’re probably not going to

difficult we’re probably not going to

difficult we’re probably not going to happen and so when you’re thinking

happen and so when you’re thinking

happen and so when you’re thinking outside the box it takes you to a place

outside the box it takes you to a place

outside the box it takes you to a place it’s probably not a very productive

it’s probably not a very productive

it’s probably not a very productive place and so if you’re going to do

place and so if you’re going to do

place and so if you’re going to do innovation success this is the kind of

innovation success this is the kind of

innovation success this is the kind of language I use for these when I when I

language I use for these when I when I

language I use for these when I when I talk about it more formally the kind of

talk about it more formally the kind of

talk about it more formally the kind of constraints individual constraints of

constraints individual constraints of

constraints individual constraints of the person group constraints of how we

the person group constraints of how we

the person group constraints of how we work in groups and these sort of line up

work in groups and these sort of line up

work in groups and these sort of line up with the academic disciplines and how

with the academic disciplines and how

with the academic disciplines and how they work psychology social psychology

they work psychology social psychology

they work psychology social psychology organizational behavior and so on but

organizational behavior and so on but

organizational behavior and so on but the point here really is that the

the point here really is that the

the point here really is that the creativity part is not the most

creativity part is not the most

creativity part is not the most important part it’s often not even the

important part it’s often not even the

important part it’s often not even the hardest part right we have ideas we have

hardest part right we have ideas we have

hardest part right we have ideas we have ideas all the time but it’s what comes

ideas all the time but it’s what comes

ideas all the time but it’s what comes next the things that we have to do next

next the things that we have to do next

next the things that we have to do next they’re more difficult and so my advice

they’re more difficult and so my advice

they’re more difficult and so my advice to you is say hey let’s keep thinking

to you is say hey let’s keep thinking

to you is say hey let’s keep thinking big but let’s not get blinded by that

big but let’s not get blinded by that

big but let’s not get blinded by that let’s not get stuck on that let’s not

let’s not get stuck on that let’s not

let’s not get stuck on that let’s not keep saying to each other oh you’re so

keep saying to each other oh you’re so

keep saying to each other oh you’re so creative oh you have such a great idea

creative oh you have such a great idea

creative oh you have such a great idea but actually start to think about some

but actually start to think about some

but actually start to think about some of the puny ideas that actually work let

of the puny ideas that actually work let

of the puny ideas that actually work let me just as a footnote would want to say

me just as a footnote would want to say

me just as a footnote would want to say I had a team of students working on a

I had a team of students working on a

I had a team of students working on a project recently come to me in my

project recently come to me in my

project recently come to me in my innovation class and they said professor

innovation class and they said professor

innovation class and they said professor Owens we have a solution to the problem

Owens we have a solution to the problem

Owens we have a solution to the problem it’s just it’s not very creative and so

it’s just it’s not very creative and so

it’s just it’s not very creative and so we think we should start over I thought

we think we should start over I thought

we think we should start over I thought that’s kind of weird and then I realized

that’s kind of weird and then I realized

that’s kind of weird and then I realized well I mean it is and I thought I

well I mean it is and I thought I

well I mean it is and I thought I couldn’t figure out like is that my

couldn’t figure out like is that my

couldn’t figure out like is that my fault

fault

fault I mean we’re trying to make the world a

I mean we’re trying to make the world a

I mean we’re trying to make the world a better place and if you can do it in a

better place and if you can do it in a

better place and if you can do it in a way that’s not creative then do it don’t

way that’s not creative then do it don’t

way that’s not creative then do it don’t stop because it’s not creative don’t

stop because it’s not creative don’t

stop because it’s not creative don’t stop because it’s not something that

stop because it’s not something that

stop because it’s not something that your mom will say David you did such a

your mom will say David you did such a

your mom will say David you did such a creative thing so my advice to you is

creative thing so my advice to you is

creative thing so my advice to you is find the teeny ideas that work and go

find the teeny ideas that work and go

find the teeny ideas that work and go with them thanks very much

with them thanks very much

with them thanks very much [Applause]

”

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