THE PATH
Inclusive Innovation
Harnessing the Power of Diversity to Change the World
What is inclusive innovation?
History is littered with examples of intelligent people working hard and collaborating. But things don’t always go well. Much of it comes down to a series of assumptions. For example, the assumption that a group of intelligent people (working hard and collaborating) will quickly come up with the ideal solution to a pressing problem. The reality is often very different.
Inclusive innovation gives us all some hope because it asks us to include those who we might not otherwise be part of our circle. It opens the door to what Matthew Syed calls “constructive dissent” where everyone is encouraged to speak up and where the more diverse your views the closer we get to finding the best solutions. It’s important for a number of reasons:
It Releases Potential.
We all find it difficult sitting in meetings, talking to others in our community or sitting at home watching the same problems surfacing and the same “solutions” agreed. Inclusive Innovation looks to unlock your potential on a personal level and the potential that sits within our own communities.
It might see the blind spots and the downright obvious.
We all have blind spots in our thinking and approaches to life, work and community but it takes another perspective to point out the embarrassingly obvious. We all do it. Missing the obvious can also be really dangerous and with other people’s lives at stake it would be bad to miss something. Could we ask smarter questions?
“Don’t agree with me just because you think you should.”
It has the ability to avoid groups working in silos and being overwhelmed by dominant personalities. It’s not easy. We all want a quiet life. But walking away from an exchange of views and wishing we had said something can be avoided. Imagine contributing to solving a social problem somewhere across the globe. Sound good?
It offers multiple ways to contribute.
Some struggle in groups or working with extroverts who love to talk even when they are making things up! But because they are quiet, or social withdrawn, does it mean their contribution is not required? Speak up we say! It might be better for them to have opportunities to collaborate and contribute in a way that works well for them. Afterall, they may have the missing piece of the puzzle.
“Social Innovation is the way to bring humanity back on track”
-Klimentina Llijevski-
The Three Hypotheses of Social Innovation.
According to Ann Mei Chang and her book, Lean Impact.
(we agree.)
Growth Hypothesis.
Will it work on the big stage?
Every solution needs an engine of growth that can help growth accelerate. If you have discovered something amazing and can’t scale it you’ll need to find a way to help it do so.
Value Hypothesis.
Will others embrace it & share it?
Are people knocking your door down to get involved? Are they telling their friends? Do people get it?
Once you have tuned your solution you’ll know you are doing well if this is happening. If not, it’s not the solution.
Impact Hypothesis.
Will it really improve people’s lives?
We believe innovation is hard work but to make impact your destination is vital.
Is impact your goal? Are you changing people’s lives to the maximum degree possible?
Our framework will help you explore these three hypotheses, by the way.