Comments on: Career Tip: Building on Others’ Ideas

By: Mike King

Mike King — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 07:20:35 +0000

Hey thanks Bert, I have heard that book referenced before in other readings so is definitely one I need to get my hands on. Never knew specifically about it though so thanks for pointing it out to me as a recommendation and for the link to Synectics. Very interesting! I could definitely make use of this in my innovative product development work. Thanks!

By: Bert

Bert — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 04:33:16 +0000

Hi Mike,

Have you ever heard of “The Practice of Creativity” by George M. Prince? It is an older book but a great read if you can get your hands on a copy. It describes a process he calls Synectics, a problem solving methodology:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synectics

It provides a framework for developing budding ideas into action without all the ego-attachment that normally goes along with typical corporate meetings. The method prevents the very criticism you describe. Well worth your time to look into. Cheers!

Bert

By: Mike King

Mike King — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 02:36:10 +0000

Thanks Dave and yes, you are absolutely right about this being practice of humility. it also goes to show just how little recognition most people do actually get that even an idea is something they strive to be recognized for. Its just an idea, everyone should have many of them each week if they are truly engaged in their work. Anyway, from both sides of this discussion, building on an idea is valuable and it is humbling doing so, which I certainly agree with as well!

By: DaveUrsillo

DaveUrsillo — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:34:17 +0000

Hey Mike,

Great points here. Building on ideas is a critical aspect of innovation and evolution. I think you’re so right that people’s ideas become very personal, as if the individual that presents it somehow “owns” it. It’s one of the aspects of business that I find personally distasteful. It’s true that some ideas are completely original, but in many more instances, ideas that we consider “our own” have been thought up and done dozens of times over.

As such, I think it’s a benefit for each of us to strive to not feel that we are the owners of ideas.. it’s kind of a practice in humility. That’s not to say that we should ever limit our creativity!

Dave