4 Essentials of Successful Innovation

What’s the key difference between dreaming and innovation?

Both dreamers and innovators are creative. Both imagine what seems impossible. But there’s one defining difference: Innovators don’t just dream; they do.

Here’s the bottom line: If you want to build a breakthrough ministry, help a nation, solve massive problems, or meet the needs of thousands of hurting people, innovation isn’t optional; it’s non-negotiable.

It’s time to become dreamers who do.

Let’s discuss four essential qualities of innovation to help you move from big ideas to bold action that leads the way for change.

The Four Essentials of Innovation

No matter how successful you are right now, it won’t last unless you decide to change.

William Pollard, an American physicist, said, “The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow.”

It’s inevitable: Competitors will get better. Ideas will get bigger. The world around you will change.

But the right recipe for innovation can significantly impact the success of your future. 

1. We need a problem to solve.

Every great innovation starts with a problem. Sometimes it’s a problem we didn’t even know existed.

Think about it. No one was asking for a phone that recognized your face or a device that played music on command. And yet those “unnecessary” ideas solved real problems people just hadn’t identified yet.

The truth is, too many leaders fear problems when they’re actually opportunities waiting to be embraced.

Innovative leaders think differently. They train their minds to see problems as invitations to create something new—because every innovation, at its core, is a solution to a problem.

2. We need limited resources.

That’s right, not unlimited resources. Limited ones. One of the biggest barriers to innovation is believing you need more.

If only we had more good people.

If only we had more time.

If only we had more money.

In reality, innovation often begins when the ideal resources aren’t available. Innovation isn’t about more. It’s about mindset.

More people can slow you down. More time can make you lazy. More money can teach you to buy solutions instead of creating them.

Limited resources force us to think creatively and create a breeding ground for innovation.

3. We need a willingness to fail.

Too many leaders fear failure, and in doing so, they stop growing. 

You might say, “Failure isn’t an option for us right now.” And you’re right. When it comes to innovation, failure isn’t optional; it’s essential.

You’re going to make mistakes. That’s a fact.

So make active mistakes, not passive ones. It’s better to fail when you’re trying something new than when you’re holding back.

If you’re not failing, you’re not innovating.

4. We need a crazy idea.

There’s a difference between reckless ideas and crazy, innovative ones.

Crazy ideas, if they work, can be a game changer for your organization.

The only reason they sound crazy is because they’ve never been done before. But it’s the potential value, or impact, of the idea that drives innovation forward.

And here’s the best part: The breakthrough idea doesn’t have to be yours. 

Great leaders don’t always invent the big idea. They have the wisdom to recognize it and the courage to attempt it.

Final Thoughts

For leaders who want to stay ahead of the curve, innovation is non-negotiable.

See problems as opportunities. Let your limits fuel creativity. Be willing to fail and learn. And don’t be afraid to chase a crazy idea.

Change is inevitable. The best leaders don’t wait for it; they create it.

Keep Learning

If you’re serious about leading change, read my post Why Great Leaders Break Their Own Rules. You’ll learn why sometimes the best way to move forward is to rethink what worked in the past and make room for what’s next.