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, both organisms and organisations stagnate—a deadly form of inaction.
Stagnation creeps up slowly, often unnoticed, until a sudden shift in dynamics leaves you, your business, and your sense of self vulnerable and weak. Without the creativity to navigate out of stagnation, survival 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 view 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 routine science and engineering often unfold in environments focused on structure, order, and strict adherence to methods. This rigidity is the exact opposite of what fosters innovation; it stunts evolution, promotes stagnation, and eventually leads to decline.
Innovation Means Courage
Courage in innovation is essential. This courage allows us to step away from routines, break established moulds, and think outside of conventional frameworks. The courage to innovate, in both personal and professional contexts, is transformative.
This phenomenon is not limited to the corporate or startup world. Innovation is equally crucial at the individual level. To innovate is to apply creativity with intention; this is the essence of innovation. Without it, 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 philosopher Martin Heidegger argued that authenticity is a fundamental part of human nature. Building on this, Carl Jung, a pioneer of modern 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 generative, decision-making version of ourselves. This alignment enables greater creativity, unlocking our potential and leading to more fulfilling outcomes.
Reaching this point isn’t easy; it can take years, even a lifetime. 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 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, innovation, and problem-solving are universal and innate traits. Yes, some people seem “naturally gifted,” producing ideas that are more interesting or 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 psyche.
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 products, businesses, or processes, they must first originate from a 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 Means 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 “innovation 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.
Want to uncover your inner-innovator type?
Once you have a meaningful understanding of your innovation archetype, you gain the clarity and confidence needed to identify, develop, and implement truly creative and innovative solutions to any challenge.
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