Steven Johnson’s TEDtalk: Where do good ideas come from?
Finding innovative solutions to problems is a common challenge in work and in life.
I find in most circumstances the way to proceed is often clear or doesn’t take long to become clear through asking a few simple questions. But other times no matter how many lists of possibilities I roll through, the answer doesn’t appear.
A current situation for me is the naming of a new project. I am fairly clear in what I want the name to communicate but do you think I can find ‘the name’? The frustrating thing is that I know it exists, it’s just not existing in my view yet.
With this in mind, I watched the TED talk, above, by Steven Johnson (a different Steven Johnson from last month) entitled “Where good ideas come from”.
Johnson is interested in the environments that allow high levels of innovation. He believes that, contrary to popular thought, most good ideas aren’t lightbulb or eureka moments but instead, an idea is a network cobbled together from all the other ideas around it. Good ideas come from the ideas having a space to mature and, in his words, have sex with other ideas.
Johnson uses the example of the first British coffee houses’ influence on the Age of Enlightenment. The introduction of caffeine into a population used to alcohol as their beverage of choice, along with the space where these newly stimulated minds could come together and debate, argue and reason with each other, set forth a subculture of ideas that changed history.
Johnson is also keen on the concept of the slow hunch where an idea has a very long incubation period. As an example, he refers to Darwin’s evolutionary ideas, which existed in his writings well before he presented them as a clear theory.
So what’s this mean for us? How do we tap into these idea networks? Do we need to imbibe stimulants in the company of others to find our solutions?
While I’m quite fond of an occasional caffeinated beverage in a public house, I don’t think it’s necessary. For me, the key is asking the question and then being open to the ideas around me interacting with the original idea. So that might happen by having a conversation with a friend or colleague, reading a paper or a magazine, participating in an online forum, wandering through the library or just sitting on the beach.
It’s about creating the space for the idea to form.
Which is what I think Johnson is getting at – whether it’s a physical space, social space, mental space or temporal space.
So where does that leave me with my project name? Well, I’ve been asking lots of questions of lots of people lately but it’s all come back to “Here’s my dilemma. What do you think?” The answers have been diverse and sometimes unexpected.
While I still don’t have “the name”, the process has been excellent for helping me clarify the boundaries as well as the possibilities for the project.
Perhaps all I now need to accept is that this project may need a slow incubation.
Or a lot more caffeine.
Or mindfulness.
Or trips to the beach.
Or…
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When you work in isolation, running a successful business isn’t just about getting clients but about building relationships in a supportive environment. That’s where Business Action Groups (BAG) come in.
Napoleon Hill referred to them as Master Mind groups. Benjamin Franklin spoke fondly of his ‘Junto’. Me? I’ve got my group of Enrichers. Buddy groups, dream teams, action groups – what they all have in common is the coming together of a committed group of business owners who help each other to success.
Business Action Groups are about getting together with others who are passionate about what they do and sharing resources, knowledge and experiences and they are formed specifically with this intention.
BAGs are small (four to six people), meet regularly and are structured to provide a safe, energising space for you to look at the issues you are facing in your business and commit to taking action.
Growing your business can mean entering new territory, making decisions on things you have no track record of, and feeling a little uncomfortable. If you are fortunate you will have people around you who you can discuss this with - a partner, family member or friend, perhaps – but more often than not our relationships with others aren’t built to discuss business issues.
“ Sometimes you just want to talk with someone who knows what you’re going through. ”
Also, sometimes you just want to talk with someone who knows what you’re going through. Turning to your peers for support is a logical move but in business your peers are often your competitors.
Business Action Groups allow you the space to confidently make these decisions. It’s a place where you can work out exactly what it is you want, find a few ways to attain it and choose which will work best for your situation.
A BAG can help you in your business in the following ways:
Helps you keep your integrity
To be a person of your word, you need to act on your decisions. Saying “I’m going to do this” to another is a powerful motivator. You know they’ll ask you how it’s going when you next meet. So when you commit to action in your BAG, the likelihood that you’ll follow through and do what you say you’d do increases dramatically.
And that’s even before you factor in accountability – where the group commits to helping you keep to your word by specifically following you up on your action. Yes, in a perfect world we would be fully internally motivated and only need to be accountable to ourselves. But, in the meantime, you have your BAG.
Other perspectives help you solve problems
One of the fundamentals of BAGs is that no one is the expert. Sure, everyone has different perspectives on your issue but there’s no “one right way”. And that‘s important for autonomy-loving soloists. If there are five other people in your group, then there will be five different approaches to consider.
Perhaps they will help you see opportunities that were out of your sight previously. Perhaps you are stretched to playing a bigger game. Or even challenged to not just meet a standard but to begin setting the standard. And you make your decisions based on this much fuller picture of your situation.
You contribute to the success of others
As well as receiving all this support and encouragement in your own venture, your BAG gives you the opportunity to share your knowledge, experiences and resources with others. Often it’s a surprising bonus to learn just how unique you are and what value you bring to any relationship.
…and you will have fun!
Let’s not forget that with this flow of giving and receiving – celebrating the highs and lows of each member’s business life – friendships develop. Fun and laughter is had. And all those platitudes about business being tough begin to melt away.
Suddenly you begin seeing yourself as part of that small percentage of business owners who are making it work.
This article first appeared in the online community for solo business owners www.flyingsolo.com.au
** NEW Business Action Groups are starting in Noosa and Brisbane in October 2010. Earlybird discounts available for those who register before 30th September 2010. Here’s more info **
