Recently I was meeting with a group and the focus was on innovation (GREAT STUFF)!  We discussed options for non-traditional opportunities for their organization and they also asked about my cool creativity experiences.

Well as you can assume I immediately jumped into a proud almost speech-like discussion about a number ofinnovative projects and service designs I had the privilege of developing over my career.  And as the discussion continued, one individual asked a unique question that I had never been asked before.  He asked:

​“What was/is the single most motivational concept/issue that pushed you then and now to keep dreaming-up innovative ways of doing things in everyone’s workplaces?”

What a totally thought-provoking question!

My answer:  Fortunately…historically… “Being With MY Own Kind!”

I explained that in my career long worlds-of-work, I have been able to surround myself with co-workers, co-partners and co-leaders that retained a TOP 10 set of professional priorities that exemplified the always innovative value of:  “Being With MY Own Kind!”

Here are the colleague innovation-motivation TOP 10 professional priorities:

1. Regularly thinks of new solutions to old problems.
2. Steps-up for extra new challenge work.
3. Is a calculated risk-taker.
4. Truly believes in an always-a-better-way principle.
5. Understands finances…but does not let it cease innovative concepts.
6. Retains an immediate “bring-it-on” attitude.
7. Appreciates that CHANGE is a natural activity.
8. Maximizes a “no one goes it alone” strategy.
9. Carries a natural professional “people-draw”.
10. Continually operates with a “what next” momentum.

I always hope that my opportunities to highlight the benefits I have gained from “Being With MY Own Kind!” help to ignite innovative initiatives for others.

And yes I thanked him for asking the question.