Innovation Muscle: Barrierless Thinking and Unconstrained Vision
Several years ago, I traveled across the world working with divisions of my then-employer to evaluate market strategies and redefine our approach to unlock new levels of performance and customer value. In each region, we explored what could be achieved if we set aside historical norms and challenged our assumptions.
After modeling potential growth in one market, we established an ambitious goal that required a complete reset of our business approach. Convincing teams that such a target was attainable took persistence and time – but ultimately, they embraced the challenge and achieved remarkable results.
Years later, I spoke with the HR leader from that same team. She recalled that, early on, employees often questioned whether the goal was too ambitious or the shift too great. “Your persistence, drive, and vision,” she told me, “kept us moving forward until we accomplished what we once thought impossible.” What she didn’t know was that there is both philosophy and structure behind this transformation.
Innovation takes many forms. While product innovation often gets the spotlight, services – and even entire business models – can also be transformed. I prefer to think about building innovation muscle: cultivating a culture where creativity and forward-thinking can thrive. This mindset transforms organizations from merely competitive to truly leading.
Too often, individuals and teams impose constraints on themselves – limited either by a narrow view of what’s possible or by a lack of confidence in their ability to bridge the gap between vision and execution. Yet people are capable of far more than they realize.
To see the future clearly, we must remove barrier-based thinking. Focusing on obstacles too early clouds our perspective and stifles imagination. Many people naturally gravitate toward identifying reasons why something can’t be done, allowing challenges to dominate their mindset.
Once a vision of the future is clearly defined, identifying barriers becomes straightforward. The real work lies in systematically removing them. Each barrier presents a challenge, but sustained speed, focus, and commitment to the end-state vision are essential. Lingering too long on any single barrier risks derailing progress.
Compromises and adaptations are often necessary to maintain momentum. True innovation arises from necessity – not idealism. The innovations that succeed are practical evolutions of idealistic visions. Every innovation we now take for granted shares one thing in common: it was completed. It reached the finish line. Countless others failed because their creators could not move beyond constraints or adapt their original ideas.
Ultimately, successful innovation is achieved by maintaining a clear line of sight to the vision, removing constraints strategically, managing barriers at the right time, sustaining forward momentum, and adapting as needed.
By following these principles, you can achieve more than you ever thought possible – and lead others to do the same.
