Innovation isn’t just a business tactic; it’s a deeply humanistic process.
Beyond just a means to drive progress, innovation is about realising our potential and leaving a unique imprint on the world. True innovation goes beyond technological advancements; it’s a deeply human endeavour rooted in creativity, courage, and authenticity. Ultimately, being innovative requires mastering the art of becoming more fully human, that is, realising our potential and evolving with intention.
In this post I’ll uncover how innovation is not just a skill but a fundamental part of human nature that drives growth, adaptability, and true self-expression.
Innovation Means Survival
Innovation is essential for survival. Being naturally expansionary, it takes something in its current form and improves upon it, creating new value in the process. Through this understanding we can define innovation as the intentional application of creativity, and without this application, everything — organisms and organisations — will lead to stagnation, a deadly form of inaction.
Stagnation creeps up slowly, often unnoticed, until a sudden shift in dynamics leaves people, businesses, and even a sense of one’s self in a vulnerable and weak position. Without the creativity needed to navigate out of stagnation, survival in this sense, becomes impossible. This “creativity as survival” principle means that we use our innovative instincts to adapt to changing environments, both personal and professional.
To survive, you have to think fast—or risk extinction and in this way, I see innovation as evolution on hyperspeed.
In biological evolution, it’s the advantageous mutation that ensures survival. In society, it’s the unconventional thinkers, the rule-breakers, who drive progress and success in products and processes. But with our modern obsessions with routine, science and engineering in environments focused on structure, order, and strict adherence to methods leads to a rigidity that is the exact opposite of what fosters innovation! It stunts evolution, promotes stagnation, and eventually leads to decline.
Innovation Means Having Courage
The use of courage in innovation is essential.
Courage allows us to step away from routines, break established moulds, and think outside of conventional frameworks. Therefore, the courage to innovate, in both personal and professional contexts, is powerful and transformative. Remember, to innovate is to apply creativity with intention; this is the essence of innovation. Without the courage to be unique and different, we lose one of our most essential traits: authenticity.
Authenticity lies at the core of our ability to improve our circumstances by standing out and showcasing our unique value—whether as individuals, teams, ideas, or businesses. Authenticity means being open to alternative perspectives and embracing an unconventional approach to the world.
The German existentialist philosopher Martin Heidegger argued that authenticity is a fundamental part of human nature. Building on this, Carl Jung, a pioneer of modern depth psychology, described the importance of “finding one’s centre”—a guiding force or spirit that allows true individuality to flourish. Jung believed that by aligning the conscious Ego with the unconscious Self, we activate a more authentic, generative, decision-making version of ourselves. This alignment enables greater creativity, unlocking our potential and leading to more fulfilling outcomes.
Reaching a point of authentic living isn’t easy; it can take years, even a lifetime for some. Jung called this process “individuation”—a journey toward self-alignment that involves facing and integrating the “Shadows” (the parts of ourselves we repress or ignore). If we don’t put in the work to achieve this alignment, our psyche feels incomplete, and we risk making decisions based on fear, avoidance, or the need to control. These are traits that stifle creativity and innovation.
To cultivate authenticity, fulfillment, and creativity, we must have the courage to face the good, the bad, and the ugly within ourselves. This internal harmony produces a natural creative flow.
Innovation is Innate and Harnessed
I subscribe to the belief that creativity, innovative thinking, and the art of problem-solving are universal and innate traits. Yes, some people seem “naturally gifted,” producing ideas that are more interesting or deemed valuable than others. But in most cases, these individuals are simply more in-tune with who they are, which allows their creative instincts to flow naturally.
The point I want to emphasise is that the ability to think creatively and innovate exists within us all. The ability to think creatively and innovate lies dormant in all of us. It’s waiting to be activated by understanding and unifying the different parts of our inner selves, psyches.
The biggest contributor to our creative power is not our education, job title, or training. While these play a role, it’s our mindset that ultimately shapes our capacity for creativity. Understanding who we are, what shapes our thoughts, and how we react to challenges is essential to unlocking our innovative potential. This potential can only be fully harnessed when we achieve a state of inner balance and wholeness.
To develop valuable, game-changing ideas for brands, products, businesses, or processes, they must first originate from an authentic central place within us. This is where “magic moments” of innovation occur: when we assert our individuality, break free from rigid, objective, and scientifically focused thinking, and incorporate fresh perspectives that move our projects in new directions.
Innovation is Part of Personal Development
Why is uncovering our inner innovator so important?
Enhancing our creativity and problem-solving skills isn’t just about addressing immediate challenges—it’s also about personal growth, improving decision-making, and fostering a sense of fulfilment. But how do we uncover this latent creativity?
The first step is to identify our inner archetype—the specific traits, attributes, and qualities that shape the way we think and create. By understanding our archetype, we gain insight into our strengths and weaknesses, our unique way of seeing the world, and our foundational qualities as creative thinkers.
What’s Your Creative Genius Type?
Take the Innovator Archetype Quiz
Once you have a meaningful understanding of your innovator archetype, you gain the clarity and confidence needed to identify, develop, and implement truly creative and innovative solutions to any challenge based on a deeper understanding of your creative-self.
Personal fulfillment is often linked to a sense of accomplishment and contribution. By pursuing innovation with an open and a resilient mindset, we not only improve our external circumstances but also nurture our inner life. Innovation, when aligned with personal growth, leads to a sense of balance and a more meaningful life experience.
Put simply: when we innovate from a place of authenticity and courage, we unlock opportunities to live a life of greater purpose and satisfaction.
The journey toward mastering innovation demands courage, self-awareness, and a commitment to authenticity. When we embrace these elements, we tap into a limitless well of ideas and possibilities, transforming not only our work but also ourselves.