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): […]
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 […]
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 […]
Take Your Shower in the Bathtub…and other travel fun
2010 was one of the busiest travel years for me. In just the last 4 months I was in an airport 30 times. Some of my trips included two weeks on the road, traveling from Boston to San Diego to Miami to Niagara Falls to San Antonio, TX to Boston. If you map it out, […]
Why Change is Hard
I am someone who loves change. In fact I sometimes change things simply for change sake. But I recently learned a powerful lesson on why change is difficult, even for someone like me who loves to stir things up. I bought a MacBook Pro a few weeks ago. Friends have been prodding me to buy […]
How To Motivate Innovators
Organizations use a variety of tools to motivate employees to participate in their innovation efforts. The most common form of motivation involves compensation via a points system. When you contribute an idea, solution, comment or vote, you get points – much like American Express Membership Rewards points – that can be used to buy a […]