Innovation without execution is hallucination
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Innovation without execution is not vision. Its hallucination. “An experience involving the apparent perception of something not present”. Execution is what takes things from the world of ideas into the realm of reality.
I would even say that innovation without execution is worse than execution without innovation. Even a clueless person that executes gives themselves the opportunity to fail. Which is an opportunity to learn and try again. In fact, failed execution is often where the best innovations come from.
I think that’s why we have such a common human response to enticing ideas. We say, “cool, let’s make it happen”. We use a different phrase when the idea is not so enticing. Like when you and an acquaintance run into each other and one of you suggests getting together for coffee or lunch. Then we say “yeah, we should make a plan”.
Suggesting we should make a plan is the perfect no-action phrase. If we really wanted to have coffee or lunch then we would, but instead we settle for should. In fact, to bring the lunch into the realm of reality we should just set a date. Or even better, we should just go for coffee right now. I mean, do you really not have 20 minutes?
This is how I personally want to approach innovation. I’m challenging myself. To move beyond that wonderful world in my head, the one where I can have great ideas, dreams and potential innovations without any risk of failure. A world where all my ideas have potential but nothing really happens.
It’s a world full of rainbows and unicorns… and regrets.
I once imagined using sensors and lights to indicate which parking bays are open inside a busy mall parking lot. I even told my wife about the idea. It was a great idea. I know it was a great idea because for the last couple of years I’ve experienced it first hand at many malls around Joburg. You drive in, see how busy the parking lot is and your heart sinks. Then you see that magical green glow in the see of red. And you glide towards it knowing that there is a place for you to park.
But I never acted on that idea. I was innovating in my head while someone else - who had the same idea - actually did something with it. It’s a lesson in the importance of going beyond vision – beyond hallucinations – and “making it happen”.