Tap Into Your Inner Innovation Child
I recently had the privilege of speaking to a group 400-plus senior executives from a very large organization. During my allotted 90 minutes, I conducted an activity used to demonstrate the power of divergent thinking. At the conclusion of the exercise, I asked for solutions to a specific problem. Twenty hands went up, if that. […]
The Performance Paradox on IdeaConnection
The second half of my interview with Vern Burkhardt from IdeaConnection was recently posted. Here are the first few paragraphs of this much longer interview. “We can conclude that creativity is about being present, just as pit crews changing the tires on a Formula 1 car need to be present.” Stephen Shapiro Vern Burkhardt (VB): […]
Open Innovation Book
Paul Sloane, an innovation colleague, approached me a while back to write a chapter in a book he was compiling on open innovation & crowdsourcing. The book is now officially out. In it you will find articles from a wide range of experts in the area of open innovation. Although the writing style of each […]
Innovation & Poker Interview with Chris Taylor
I recently had the great pleasure of welcoming Chris Taylor into my condo. He came with his video camera, an in depth understanding of my work, and an amazing interview style. The result? One of my favorite video interviews…ever. Be sure to check it out and learn more about Chris at Actionable Books.
Your Customers Are Cynics
[This article originally appeared on the American Express Open Forum] A large portion of my business is public speaking. And I know many others who make their living the same way. But to be perfectly frank, companies are often wasting their money when they hire a speaker. I say this not because there aren’t many […]
How Aristotle Can Help You Sell Better
[This article originally appeared on the American Express Open Forum] I was recently in the market for a new car. I had narrowed down my list of prospects and went out for some test drives. At the car dealerships, each salesperson immediately jumped enthusiastically into sharing the features and functions of the cars. “It has […]
Your Brain Is Killing Innovation
[This article originally appeared on the American Express Open Forum] Humans are the only species that can develop creative ideas. Our evolved brain is our best ally in the search for novel solutions. Unfortunately, the human brain is also the greatest enemy of innovation. But not necessarily for the reason you might believe. We read […]
My Interview on IdeaConnection
Vern Burkhardt is one of the best interviewers in the innovation space. I am pleased to have spent time with him for a two-part interview. Here are the first two questions/answers for the first interview. At the end you can follow the link to the IdeaConnection website for the other 38 questions. Vern Burkhardt (VB): […]
Why You Should Work With People You Don’t Like
[This article originally appeared on the American Express Open Forum] Contrary to “conventional wisdom,” opposites don’t do NOT attract. While individuals who are different than you might initially seem intriguing, in the long run these differences will invariably push you apart. This fact has been scientifically proven. Science aside, consider your personal relationships. If you […]
Blogging Slowdown
No this is not a work stoppage driven by protest. It is a slowdown caused by an overload of work. I am working on my next book and the manuscript is due over the next couple of weeks. That is keeping me VERY busy. So the activity here will slow down a little bit. But […]