Categories: Articles

What Innovation Looks Like

Everyone thinks that they are being innovative.

The truth is that innovation is really hard. And, by “innovation” I mean real innovation. Not a better mousetrap, but something that the market did not know that it needed, that then becomes adopted (and paid for) in a way in which we could have never imagined our lives without it. It’s a tall order. So, when it comes to innovation, the thought should be less about what companies are producing innovative products and services, but who – really – is doing the next generation of ideation and exploration.

It’s all about Elon Musk.

The founder, CEO and CTO of SpaceX, co-founder, CEO and product architect of Tesla, co-founder and chairman of SolarCity, co-chairman of OpenAI and – what many may not even remember – the co-founder of PayPal, is thinking on a whole other level. This is someone who is on a mission to change the world (much more than simply trying to put a dent in it). I once saw Musk being interviewed at a TED event, and remember how much I was marked by his comments and desire to make humans the first “multi planetary” species. Even typing those words gives me goosebumps. The other week, Musk was invited to be interviewed at the famed Code Conference by Recode‘s Kara Swisher and The Verge‘s Walt Mossberg. The topics covered included everything from one-way tickets to Mars (by 2018!), autonomous driving, artificial intelligence and more. Do you believe that your company (and your leadership) are truly innovative? Watch this…