“One form of originality is creation. Another form is synthesis.” James Clear, Author of Atomic Habits

The performance appraisal structure we use at my job includes rating and comments about your skills, abilities and record related to innovation. I have always struggled with the notion of innovation because I do not see myself as creative or a visionary. In a previous post I shared that my strengths are related to bringing an idea to life – the strategies and tactics of doing, but it does not really lie in the idea generation itself.

As the quote above reveals, innovation has different facets and creation is just one of them. While not good at the creation phase I am a rock star at synthesis. I love looking at how other organizations have managed a situation or moved forward a change. I especially like looking at other industries – their metrics, their processes, and their project management to discover ideas to bring back to my own situation or need.

How do you view innovation? What is your innovation superpower?