Innovation and CreativityCreativity in Business
“How to Fly a Horse” by Kevin Ashton delves into the myths and realities of creativity, dismantling the romanticized narratives that surround innovation and invention. Ashton, co-founder of the MIT Auto-ID Center, provides a deep exploration of the process of creation through historical anecdotes, scientific insights, and practical advice. This summary will cover the major points from the book along with actionable advice and concrete examples.
1. Creativity Is About Persistence
Major Point: Ashton asserts that creativity is more about sticking with a task and persevering through failures than about sudden bursts of inspiration. Great creative achievements usually come from consistent effort and incremental improvements rather than a single stroke of genius.
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Example: Thomas Edison is highlighted in the book for his famous adage, “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” Edison’s repeated experiments and refinements in developing the light bulb exemplify the importance of persistence.
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Actionable Advice: Break down a complex project into smaller tasks and commit to working on it regularly, even when progress seems slow. Set a specific routine (e.g., dedicating an hour each day) to ensure consistent effort.
2. Ordinary People Can Be Creators
Major Point: Ashton dispels the myth that only a select few have the innate talent to be creative. He emphasizes that creativity is a common human trait and can be cultivated in anyone willing to put in the effort.
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Example: The book recounts the story of Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who invented Google. They were not preordained geniuses but college students who recognized a problem and committed to solving it through persistent work and iteration.
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Actionable Advice: Start by identifying problems or inefficiencies in everyday life that you are passionate about solving. Approach them methodically, documenting your thoughts and efforts to see incremental progress.
3. The Power of Iterative Improvement
Major Point: Ashton demonstrates that many groundbreaking innovations are the result of a series of small, cumulative improvements rather than a single, dramatic breakthrough.
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Example: The development of the Wright brothers’ airplane is used to illustrate this point. Their success was not due to a single eureka moment, but rather through successive iterations, learning from failures, and making adjustments.
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Actionable Advice: Embrace failure as part of the creative process. After each setback, analyze what went wrong, and use that information to make improvements. Establish a feedback loop where you regularly review and refine your work.
4. The Role of Collaboration
Major Point: Creativity often flourishes in collaborative environments where diverse inputs can lead to innovative solutions. Ashton highlights that working with others and drawing from a broad range of experiences can enhance creative outcomes.
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Example: The book cites the creation of the Linux operating system, which emerged from a collaborative effort involving thousands of programmers around the world. Linus Torvalds, the project’s initiator, leveraged the power of open-source collaboration to build and refine the system.
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Actionable Advice: Seek out opportunities to collaborate with others, particularly those with different perspectives or expertise. Use tools and platforms that facilitate collaboration, such as project management software or online communities.
5. The Myth of the Lone Genius
Major Point: Ashton challenges the commonly held belief in the lone genius working in isolation. He argues that most celebrated inventors and creators built upon the work of others and were deeply connected to their communities.
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Example: Ashton points to Isaac Newton, who famously claimed, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Newton’s work was heavily influenced by the scientific discoveries of his predecessors.
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Actionable Advice: Study the work of those who have come before you in your field. Identify mentors or experts whose knowledge can assist your creative endeavors. Attend conferences, join discussion groups, or participate in relevant forums.
6. Embracing Constraints
Major Point: Constraints are often viewed negatively, but Ashton shows that they can actually foster creativity by forcing individuals to think more resourcefully.
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Example: During World War II, resource constraints led British engineer Robert Watson-Watt to develop radar technology. Limited resources compelled innovative problem-solving, leading to significant advancements.
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Actionable Advice: When faced with constraints, reframe them as opportunities to think outside the box. Set artificial limits on your projects to stimulate creative problem-solving rather than viewing limitations negatively.
7. Creativity in Everyday Practices
Major Point: Ashton emphasizes that creativity is not restricted to arts or sciences but can be applied to everyday tasks and business practices. Routine jobs can be approached creatively for improved efficiency and satisfaction.
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Example: He mentions Toyota’s production system, which revolutionized manufacturing by encouraging every worker to contribute ideas for continuous improvement, demonstrating creativity at all levels of an organization.
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Actionable Advice: Implement a practice of regular brainstorming sessions with your team or individually for process improvements. Encourage feedback and suggestions from all levels of your organization, fostering a culture of innovation.
8. The Importance of Curiosity
Major Point: Ashton underscores the importance of maintaining a curious mindset as a driver of creativity. Curiosity leads to exploration, questioning, and ultimately, innovation.
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Example: The story of George de Mestral, who invented Velcro after being curious about how burrs stuck to his dog’s fur, exemplifies the role of curiosity in sparking innovation.
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Actionable Advice: Make a habit of asking questions and exploring new interests. Engage in activities that stimulate curiosity, such as reading diverse topics, attending lectures, or experimenting with new skills.
9. Learning from Mistakes
Major Point: Instead of fearing mistakes, Ashton encourages viewing them as valuable learning opportunities. Mistakes provide critical insights that can guide future improvements.
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Example: The development of Penicillin is a prominent example Ashton provides. Alexander Fleming’s accidental discovery of the mold’s antibacterial properties was initially a mistake, but it led to one of the most important medical breakthroughs.
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Actionable Advice: Develop a mindset that views failure as feedback. After encountering an error, conduct a thorough analysis to identify lessons learned and apply them to future attempts.
10. The Role of Play and Experimentation
Major Point: Playing and experimenting are vital aspects of creativity. They allow the freedom to explore ideas without the pressure of achieving a perfect outcome, often leading to unexpected discoveries.
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Example: Ashton refers to the playful experimentation in computer science during the early days of the Silicon Valley tech boom. Companies like Apple encouraged a culture of experimentation, leading to groundbreaking products.
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Actionable Advice: Allocate time for unstructured experimentation in your schedule. Encourage a playful attitude towards problem-solving and innovation, allowing room to try new approaches without immediate pressure for results.
11. Documenting and Reflecting
Major Point: Regularly documenting and reflecting on your process can help consolidate learning and guide future creative efforts. Recording ideas, successes, and failures can make the creative process more visible and manageable.
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Example: Leonardo da Vinci’s extensive journals documented his thoughts, experiments, and sketches, which played a crucial role in his creative process.
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Actionable Advice: Keep a creativity journal where you document your ideas, project progress, and reflections. Review it periodically to identify patterns, celebrate progress, and pinpoint areas for improvement.
Conclusion
In “How to Fly a Horse,” Kevin Ashton provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and nurturing creativity. The book demystifies the process of invention and innovation, showing that creativity is accessible to everyone through persistence, collaboration, curiosity, and the willingness to learn from failure. By implementing Ashton’s advice—such as breaking down tasks, collaborating with others, embracing constraints, and maintaining curiosity—individuals and organizations can enhance their creative capabilities and drive meaningful innovation.