Everyone’s a Little Innovation-ish
We wrote a book for anyone who has ever said "I'm not creative" "I'm not an innovator."
Innovation is often seen as the domain of lone geniuses or special teams with specific training. But after over a decade of teaching innovation at top universities and working with companies around the world, we realized the reality is quite different.
Traditional innovation methods were letting talented people down - they felt stuck, excluded, and convinced they just weren't "creative enough."
We regularly ask thousands of professionals and students a simple question: "Raise your hand if you consider yourself creative or an innovator."
Even among successful leaders, fewer than 10% of hands go up. Yet, in elementary classrooms, nearly every child raises their hand eagerly. Over time, experiences, social expectations, and strict rules have chipped away at our natural creative confidence.
But cognitive science tells us something different. Research shows creativity and innovation aren't innate gifts limited to a special few. Anyone can be creative and innovative with practice and intention. Our brains are naturally capable of creative problem-solving. What holds us back isn’t ability; it’s learned hesitation and self-doubt.
Making innovation human and approachable
We wrote Innovation-ish because we realized the real issue was how innovation itself was portrayed. Rather than being serious and formal Innovation, it needed to be more Innovation-ish.
Successful innovation rarely follows rigid processes, even though they're often presented as fail-safe solutions. Real innovation is dynamic, flexible, and filled with ambiguity.
We created Innovation-ish because innovation should be practical, messy, and open to anyone willing to engage and adapt. It’s not mystical or reserved for a select few; it's a human process available to everyone.
We've seen this in action:
At Dermalogica, employees challenged an old rule against creating hardware devices. By prototyping handheld spa tools internally, they opened an entirely new market without relying on outside experts or formal processes.
The Native American Community Clinic shifted its focus from simply treating homeless patients to addressing the root cause: housing. By reframing the problem using their existing intuitive ways of working, they found a more sustainable and innovative solution.
These examples highlight what we’ve seen again and again:
Innovation can come from anyone.
You don't need rigid processes to innovate effectively.
Real innovation often involves looking at problems differently.
The principles behind Innovation-ish
Innovation-ish is built around the Innovation-ish Compass, a practical guide we created by studying over 80 innovation methods and drawing on cognitive sciences, neuroscience, and the psychology of creativity. It has three simple parts:
Mindsets – Ways of thinking that help you stay curious and adaptable.
Moves – Small, practical actions you take to test and refine your ideas.
Metacognition – Reflecting on what you’ve done and deciding how to improve next time.
The Compass doesn’t dictate a strict path - it is not a map. Instead, it helps you navigate by choosing your next move based on what makes sense in the moment and where you are with your project.
We have noticed that students and organizations who use Innovation-ish build stronger innovation cultures. They experiment, learn from failures, and continuously grow. This leads to:
Better adaptability
Stronger problem-solving skills
Cultures that truly value creativity
Innovation isn't about doing everything perfectly. It's about trying new things, learning from the outcomes, and constantly improving.
The main point
Innovation isn’t reserved for special people or extraordinary circumstances. Cognitive science shows us clearly that everyone has the capacity to innovate and to engage in creative problem solving. It’s about seeking out uncertainty, pushing past learned hesitation, and practicing creativity regularly.
By embracing the mindsets, moves, and metacognition of the Innovation-ish Compass, anyone can unlock their natural creative potential and start innovating in a practical, approachable way. This approach empowers people to tackle challenges with fresh perspectives, learn from failures, and continuously improve. Innovation is a human process available to all, not just a select few.
If you're ready to unlock your inherent creative abilities and start innovating confidently, Innovation-ish is here to guide you.
Preorder the book and learn more via www.innovationish.com