The Innovator in Each of Us

As I sat in the darkened auditorium watching speaker after speaker take the stage at TEDxDetroit, I began to notice something. I began to notice how easy it was to sit back in the comfort of my seat and observe innovation. How easy it was, in a sea of nearly 1000 others, to become distanced from the idea of being an innovator. How easy it was to be impressed rather than inspired. How easy it was to see the speakers as ‘different’, more extraordinary, more equipped to lead change than I.

Until a comment from behind me jolted me out of my cozy story. “This is great and all but what can I do with any of this information. If I come back a year from now, will anyone here have done anything different?” said a young man.

And I thought…”wait a minute! Innovation is within reach of us all. We can all lead the way in our lives. We can all take small actions that make a big difference. You just have to be willing to get out of the comfort zone.”

So I started listening and learning with different ears. Instead of the passive—wow, aren’t these people really great? I started listening for something that could move me and others into action. Instead of seeing these speakers as people different from most, I saw how they were exactly the same as most. Instead of thinking that innovation, thought leadership and transforming Detroit (and the world) was something for an elite few, I saw how it was within the reach of everyone in that room, including me.

And here’s what I came away with.

I came away from TEDXDetroit absolutely certain that each and every one of us has exactly what it takes to be an innovator. A thought leader. A change maker. I realized that the heart and soul of innovation was simply this: being able to create an emotional experience that moves others forward.

At TEDxDetroit I saw 5 sources of innovation within each of us—regardless of education, IQ, age, position, power, location or experience. We all have something to offer that can create an emotional experience that moves others….so let’s start with these:

1. Your Story
TEDxDetroit was full of stories. Stories like Jocelyn Rainey who after being paralyzed from a gunshot wound to the neck, began her road to recovery and discovered the artist within her. After regaining her ability to walk, she boldly pursued her dream of becoming an artist and along the way became an art teacher in an inner city school for ‘challenged’ boys. She started a project called Finding Mona Lisa, and over the last several years has annually led a group of students on an international cultural immersion experience to places like Paris, Egypt, Japan and beyond. She’s taking boys who hadn’t seen beyond the limits of urban life and showing them an appreciation for the world around them—and inspiring them to embrace other cultures, respect differences and dream bigger.

2. Your Stand
Your stand is what you believe in…what you deeply and passionately WANT for yourself, for others, for the world. Steve Kahn, a math professor at Wayne State University, had the crowd in awe because of one thing—his powerful STAND FOR the youth of our community. Professor Kahn shared with us that he started a program called MathCore which is changing how children learn math. But where the transformation came from—the innovation—is his powerful stand that you don’t just ‘treat all children equally’ but that you “CARE about all children equally”. “When you CARE about kids it can make you crazy” he warned. “You expect more. You have higher standards. You don’t accept excuses.” And when you CARE the children learn and grow and change.

3. Your Special Skills, Interests
We heard from several young innovators, including Jerry Paffendorf and Mary Lorene Carter, founders of Loveland, who started a simple project using their love of technology and a little bit of quirky fun. Their simple project—selling ‘micro real estate’ started out as a fun idea. They sold one inch squares of ‘land’ (they didn’t actually have land when they started) on the internet –fondly called the ‘inchernet’. That evolved into actually buying a plot of land in Detroit. Which turned into mapping vacant properties and creating a really valuable way to plan city redesign. Which led to a project called The Imagination Station where they are transforming two abandoned houses into something inspiring.

4. Your System
Sometimes the biggest change comes from changing the system or having your own unique way of getting something done. Geoff Horst of Algal Scientific presented his fix for toxic algae overgrowth in our waters. He has developed a new system of using algae to clean water and produce valuable products at the same time. Jim Scapa, CEO of Altair Engineering spoke about the system his company created to create engineering designs based off of nature’s designs. But a system doesn’t have to be about scientific breakthroughs or leading edge technology. You could create a simple system to change just about anything. We heard from a Wayne State professor about the Farmers Market in the city and how they began getting fresh produce in the corner stores within the city. Simple, small system changes can start a movement.

5. The Space You Naturally Occupy
Ok, this one might not be obvious so let me explain. In your life right now something is working. People see you as the go-to person for something—be it a good laugh, a clear perspective, a dose of reality or an idea generator. We all occupy some ‘role’ in our lives. Quite often that space you’re already in holds the key to your innovating edge.

Take Anuja Rajendra, creator of Bollyfit. She was teaching Indian dance lessons as a ‘side job’ until she could figure out what she wanted to do with her life and her MBA. Her dancing became the path to making a difference in women’s lives and she went on to found Bollyfit.

Or Ben Bator, founder and author of Texts From Last Night. He and a friend started Texts from Last Night on a whim, and then proceeded on a quest to find their BIG idea over weekly drinks and dreaming sessions at a local bar. Meanwhile Texts from Last Night grew into a major sensation…leading to book deals, TV interests and a real life business.

TEDxDetroit was punctuated with amazing art and performances by local musicians, poets and more. And each of those amazing artists showed how to lead change, how to inspire and create movement by just bringing your story, your skills and your stand for something into the world.

Innovation is in each of us. Now, go out and Lead the Way!

By the way, all TEDxDetroit videos will be posted on their YouTube channel very soon. Check them out and be inspired!