Breaking Myths: The Realities of Innovation with AFWERX Fellows
Dr. Ethan Eagle and Dan Ward discuss innovation myths and their path with an Audience of AFWERX Fellows
In the ever-changing landscape of innovation and creativity, it’s essential to separate myth from reality. One insightful fireside chat between Ethan Eagle, Dan Ward, and members of the AFWERX fellowships office does just that. It dives deep into what it really means to innovate in the Air Force and beyond. This collaborative and informative discussion uncovers significant myths and shares practical insights that can help you find your true path to making impactful innovations.
Watch the whole word salad for yourself here: Dan and I … (especially I) had too much fun… With shout outs to
https://share.descript.com/view/xyiNmAyGMG3 (maybe there’s a better way to embed this video…) (If so, leave me a comment below.)
## The Collaborator's Journey Starts Here
"So this is round two of a somewhat freewheeling fireside chat that Dan and I had with a host from Tesseract," begins Ethan. The setting is casual, but the discussion is rich, centered around breaking down innovation myths and fostering a culture of creativity within the military. One of the key themes discussed is the concept of collaboration. Innovation is often seen as a lone genius’s eureka moment, but Ethan and Dan emphasize that true innovation is a team sport. “None of us is as smart as all of us,” notes Dan. This collaborative spirit is at the heart of any successful innovation process, which is iterative and inclusive.
The Myth of the Eureka Moment
The chat debunks the myth that innovation is about sudden, flawless breakthroughs. Instead, it's about iterative progress—the kind that evolves through trial and error. Dan introduces the theatre metaphor to highlight this: “We need the café stage where ideas form, the writer’s room for teamwork, the table read for initial feedback, the dress rehearsal, and finally, the opening night.” Innovation isn’t about finding that one perfect moment; it's about a series of steps that build on each other. It's about patience, playfulness, and, yes, even a bit of chaos.
Rapid Iterative Collaborative Experimentation (RICE)
Dan shares a valuable acronym: RICE, standing for Rapid, Iterative, Collaborative, and Experimentation.
**Rapid:** Move quickly to test ideas.
**Iterative:** Change and evolve based on feedback.
**Collaborative:** Involve a diverse group to co-create.
**Experimentation:** Test real things with real users.
Dan's example from his experiences at MITRE highlights the importance of refining tools and processes through this model. By starting small and scaling up based on feedback, innovation isn't just a grandiose concept but a practical, repeatable process.
The Case for Diversity and Inclusion
It's impossible to talk about modern innovation without addressing diversity and inclusion. Caitlin's input validates the importance of considering a wide range of perspectives to truly understand and solve problems. A one-size-fits-all approach won’t work in an environment where issues are multifaceted and people’s needs are varied. Empathy is key. Knowing your customer means understanding their specific needs and challenges. Innovation should be inclusive by design, inviting contributions from all stakeholders to create solutions that genuinely help people.
Myth-Busting: Go Big or Go Home
The idea that innovation should always be about massive, world-changing projects is both appealing and dangerous. Often, smaller, incremental changes lead to significant breakthroughs. Dan discusses the NASA Pathfinder mission compared to the Viking mission, showing how a series of smaller, iterative steps can lead to sustained innovation and lasting impact.
Closing Thoughts: Leave Room for Others to Follow
In reiterating the mission of innovation, both Ethan and Dan emphasize leaving room for others to follow. Innovation should not be a one-time, world-changing event but a continuous process that allows for growth, learning, and inclusivity. The conversation leaves us with a powerful conclusion: The true path of innovation lies in iterative progress, genuine collaboration, and an unrelenting focus on creating real value. So, whether you’re an engineer, a policy-maker, or an everyday problem-solver, keep these principles in mind. Start small, iterate, collaborate, and most importantly, innovate with empathy. This is how we’ll turn myths into milestones and ideas into impactful realities.
--- Stay curious. Stay collaborative. And remember, innovation is a journey we take together.
Thanks for reading/watching/listening! Is there another topic or subject you want to hear about/from/on? Who else should I invite to chat? drop me an e-mail or dm - ethan@innovatrium.org