I am almost finished a very interesting book called, The Ten Faces Of Innovation by Tom Kelley. The Ten Faces Of Innovation is the follow-up to Tom Kelley’s first book, The Art Of Innovation (I was actually trying to buy the first one on Amazon but picked up his latest instead).
The Ten Faces Of Innovation breaks down the archetypes of people needed within an organization to truly “make a dent in the world” (to quote Steve Jobs). Tom Kelley is General Manager of IDEO – one of the world’s leading design firms – everything from product to process.
Here’s an overview of The Ten Faces Of Innovation from the website:
“The role of the devil’s advocate is nearly universal in business today. It allows individuals to step outside themselves and raise questions and concerns that effectively kill new projects and ideas, while claiming no personal responsibility. Nothing is more potent in stifling innovation as Tom Kelley points out in The Ten Faces of Innovation.
Over the years, Tom has observed a number of roles that people can play in an organization to foster innovation and new ideas while offering an effective counter to naysayers. Among these approaches are the Anthropologist, the person who goes into the field to see how customers use and respond to products, to come up with new innovations; the Cross-Pollinator, who mixes and matches ideas, widely disparate people, and technologies to create new ideas that can drive growth; and the Hurdler, who instantly looks for ways to overcome the limits and challenges to any situation.
Filled with engaging stories of how companies such as Kraft, Samsung, and Procter & Gamble have incorporated IDEO’s thinking to transform the customer experience, The Ten Faces of Innovation is an extraordinary guide to nurturing and sustaining a culture of continuous innovation and renewal.”
I am still trying to figure out which of the Ten Faces I am. In the meantime, if you are also looking for how to best brainstorm, The Ten Faces Of Innovation has an excellent section on how to make it all come together when they discuss The Director’s style (page 147).
Here are some additional reads to get you primed about The Ten Faces Of Innovation by Tom Kelley:
– Fast Company Magazine – The Ten Faces Of Innovation Exclusive Book Excerpt.
– Tom Peters – Cool Friends – Interview With Tom Kelley.
Look for The Ten Faces Of Innovation at an upcoming session of The Montreal Business Book Club.