Do you have the hallmarks of a disruptive innovator?
In the past decade, we’ve seen remarkable innovations and extraordinary technological advancements change the way we live, play, and conduct business. The most notable innovations are the direct result of disruptors: leaders who transformed existing markets (or created new ones) by focusing on convenience, simplicity, accessibility, or affordability.
Today, anyone with a smartphone has access to general artificial intelligence. We can easily manage everyday tasks (Google Assistant), send money (Venmo), travel about town (autonomous taxis in some U.S. cities), and answer our doors—from anywhere (Ring).
In the world of sports, racing sailboats have gone from large, single wooden hulls to aerodynamic vessels of flight. Their once canvas sails are now wings that carry the team on two or three small hydro-foils, faster than the speed of wind.
Simulators and virtual reality are now a part of learning and training. Organizations have become data-driven cultures, led by Chief Data Officers, who work with data scientists and computers that process hundreds of hypothetical questions and answers.
And incredibly, we’re just getting started.
The Disruptive Innovator and Sustainable Success
I have observed how disruptive leaders learned to innovate more quickly, cheaply, and with less risk. Certainly, this is no easy feat, especially in today’s accelerated environment. For many, disruption causes anxiety, fear, and leads to disruption fatigue.
Ignoring the problem, or worse, feeding the fear, are not real solutions. Sustainable success requires a two-prong approach: improving current product performance and developing new disruptive technology.
In many cases, starting, re-tooling, and scaling a business is easier than ever before. But achieving and maintaining success is another matter. While rapid innovation and new technologies allow for faster speed to market, there are considerable risks and impacts.
Disruptive leaders have a clear understanding of current, as well as potential future disruptors. They exam their mission and vision. Success is achieved when leaders, executives, and managers lead with careful consideration and mindful intention.
What do you think? Are you a disruptive innovator? I’d love to hear from you. You can call me at 561-582-6060, let’s talk. And as always, I can be reached here, or on LinkedIn.
