The Innovation Killer by Cynthia Barton Rabe.
I began a book review of The Innovation Killer a few days ago here and have added to it since. I really enjoyed reading this book and along the way I couldn't help but to overlay my own experience with companies that I've worked for. For most, the concept of innovation was so radical it was only discussed in hushed whisper behind closed doors - in pig Latin.
The innovation killer's arch nemesis is the Zero-Gravity Thinker. This person helps the individuals or teams escape the weight of what they already know. They possess three primary characteristics: psychological distance from the team, renaissance tendencies and related expertise. (detailed in previous post)
Cyndy discusses various roles of the Zero-Gravity Thinker with the role of collaborator having the most potential to stimulate innovation from outside of the company. The collaborator is embedded in the team for extended period of times and works with the experts, supplying thoughts and ideas that they normally wouldn't have come up with.
Two chapters are devoted to identifying the need of a collaborator and help in finding one. Cindy provides input on shedding the weight of expertise on your own in the second to last chapter. A good portion of this discussion centers on first defining the problem at hand, followed by understanding what chokes the life out of your thinking. (Understanding what constrains your thinking). Cindy zeroes in on a particular pet peeve of mine: The opportunity to think guilt-free in the workplace. You know the feeling. The boss is coming I've got to look busy. If you are truly trying to work things out in your mind...think...then it shouldn't matter if the CEO strolls by. This chapter concludes with the most pristine advice about nurturing the Zero-Gravity Thinker within.
Cindy talks to company leaders in the final chapter. It takes guts to be a leader who fosters the culture of innovation within the company. One must be able to comprehend that failure is a by-product of success. Most can't.
Personal Note: I made a commitment to myself when I changed the name of my site here from Wiz Speak to Rothacker Reviews. I would stay positive and would not be negative or criticize. Based on my personal experience, writing about the Innovation Killer was the most difficult post to write and stay within my guidelines.