Difference drives innovation...

Please note : This post has moved

In my experience, homogeneity of skills, influences, opinions, ideas, competencies, knowledge and cultures, can only lead to conformity of views and the maintance of the status quo.

More interestingly (to me at least), differences in skills, influences, opinions, ideas, competencies, knowledge and cultures, can lead to one of 2 potential outcomes:

1. Firstly differences can descend into chaos, fragmentation and highly un-productive activity, or
2. If managed well, differences can lead to a highly creativity, inspiring and innovative environment.

The key question is, of course, how to you set things up so that you create the latter innovate outcome, rather than the former. The short answer from me (at the moment) is that I'm not sure, however we are in the process of trying to find out.

Nesta launches a new programme on June 14th called Connect, which seeks to prove that new, unexpected or extreme collaborations drive innovation. Our key lines or enquiry are centred around differences, networks, interactions and trust. It's a fascinating subject which spans psychology, solciology, antrohopoly, technology, economics and politics, so we've got our work cut out for us. We'll post on this blog as and when we find out more.

Comments

[David Wilcox]

This mix of unplanned and managed is just what we are exploring over at the Open Innovation Exchange http://www.innovationexchange.net where we have taken up the challenge of preparing a tender to Cabinet Office (tight framework) in an all-welcome public process. It has inspired us to think about how the open process approach can be adopted more widely.

[David Newman]

I think the new NESTA programme 'Connect' should prove very interesting. I have personally been trying to promote this particular approach for some considerable time. The sentance 'Our key lines of enquiry are centred around differences, networks, interactions and trust' sums up my thoughts as well. I believe we spend far too much time and effort simply concentrating on what I call 'namebadge' networking as opposed to maximising the full potential of individuals with regards their wider knowledge and experience. Such relationships when nurtured and managed properly can be incredibly productive and fertile.

I also agree with the view that such a differences can 'descend into chaos, fragmentation and highly un-productive activity'. However, whenever I've witnissed this I have to say that on almost every occassion these tended to start out very positive.

My hope is that the new NESTA enquiry will help highlight the latent potential of 'unexpected or extreme collaborations' and the important role they have to play in an innovative society. I wish you well with the project.

[Roland Harwood]

Thanks David and David,

David W - Fascinated by what you are doing at the Open Innovation Exchange and look forward to finding out more.

David N - Thanks for your support. We hope add something to the debate. Feels like the right time to be doing this though many of the issues are of course not at all new.

[Nick Temple]

On this subject, a book called The Difference by Scott Page (http://press.princeton.edu/titles/8353.html) might prove interesting. I came across him via an article entitled 'Diversity Powers Innovation' (http://tinyurl.com/28fnwo ) and am mid-way through this new book, which builds on that central idea.

Cheers

[Roland Harwood]

Many thanks for this Nick. Funnily enough the same book was recommended to me last week and it was partly what prompted me to post on this subject, though I haven't read yet, though I have ordered a copy. It looks very interesting.

[David Wilcox]

Hi Roland
Decisions on the Innovation Exchange on Monday, as you probably know. Meanwhile
you can see what we thought of the interview
http://innovationexchange.net/after_the_interview_was_over