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Bobby Gruenewald, the Innovation Leader at Life.Church and the founder of the YouVersion Bible app, shares his perspective on innovation.
“Take a look at the YouVersion Bible app. This began as a website, and no one was using it. No one wanted it. Then innovation struck at the same time they decided to can the project. They looked at why it wasn’t succeeding,” shared Gruenewald, “That’s when they realized people were using their computers less and using their phones more. This was a key moment in the innovation of the Bible app. This insight allowed for the Life.Church team to pivot and create an app that has gone on to great success.”
Innovation is doing things no one else is doing.
How do you approach innovation?
1. Embrace constraints
In meetings, it’s often touted that we need to think outside the box. This rarely works with practical ideas. Instead, we need to embrace constraints. This allows us to create practical ideas that will work.
“If you have limited resources, you have one of the key ingredients for innovation,” Gruenwald shares.
When you have all the resources, there’s no need for innovation. You can continue on the same path you have always traveled.
By taking away the resources, you focus in on what’s important. Look at the resources you can take away, and this will challenge your ability to succeed.
2. Small thinking
The more established we are, the less risk we want to take. We see our success and don’t want to risk it.
However, when you think of yourself humbly and as a continual learner, you see new opportunities. You are able to take on challenges because there’s nothing to lose.
“If we think we are big and significant, our risks will be small and insignificant,” Gruenwald says.
3. Move fast, follow momentum
The future is always changing.
Gruenwald is frequently asked what the future in five years will look like. His answer —“I have no idea.”
By looking so far into the future, we lose momentum. You don’t see the big picture. Instead, take the mindset of moving fast. See what’s coming, take action.
The good news is, you don’t have to be right. You have to move.
4. Data has a seat at the table
There’s a good reason to bring data to the table. It shows the results of our work.
Too many people don’t want to give credence to data. They believe it holds them back and doesn’t have context.
However, data is good. It reveals your effectivity, your progress and your performance.
“The only thing worse than not having momentum is having momentum and not knowing why,” Gruenwald says.
5. Fear of failure
People get hung up with the fear of starting. We’re scared to put our foot out. But there are other aspects to the fear of failure. Failure rears its ugly head in other arenas as well. Sometimes we’re scared to give up because of failure. As a result, this prevents us from succeeding.
“Never give up” is terrible advice for innovation. By quitting, we can find the true spot of innovation.
What is your failure résumé?
Many people don’t like to keep a list of things they’ve done wrong. Who wants to look at their failures? This is one of the greatest things you can do.
By building a list of your failures, you can see what you’ve done and what you’ve learned. This is an amazing resource.
Keep a list of what’s happened and what you learned. Your eyes will be opened to new possibilities.
Photo source: istock
 | Joseph Lalonde is an award-winning leadership blogger and hosted the Answers From Leadership podcast. He desires to see 20-somethings step into their God-ordained roles as leaders. Previously, on the E3 staff and currently serving in the Catalyst youth ministry of Gateway Church, Joseph has mentored many students and has seen their lives changed through this teaching. His mission is to help equip leaders with the knowledge and information to boost their leadership to the next level. This article was first published on JMLalonde.com. Used with permission Learn More » |
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