Ten Things Walt Disney Taught Me About Innovation...

Random Quote for the Week of November 5th, 2007:
"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me...You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you." - Walt Disney

Ten Things Walt Disney Taught Me About Innovation:

It's really no secret that I absolutely love everything Disney.  To me, the greatest example of solving problems, following dreams and pursuing ideas can be found either at Disneyland, Disney World, watching just about any Disney movie or by studying the life of Walt Disney. 

While the company may have lost its way in the past few years, the core fundamentals that the organization were founded upon have again resurfaced through its recent management change, merger with Pixar and returned attention to creativity.  As I was recently booking our annual trip to Disney World, I reflected upon some of things that Walt, even from beyond the grave, has taught me about innovation.
"When we consider a project, we really study it--not just the surface idea, but everything about it. And when we go into that new project, we believe in it all the way. We have confidence in our ability to do it right. And we work hard to do the best possible job."

1.      Pay fantastic attention to detail
  • Problems and ideas have an amazing amount of detail associated with them.  Sometimes, it can be easy to miss some of the details that help to further define the problem or help follow ideas in new directions
"Whenever I go on a ride, I'm always thinking of what's wrong with the thing and how it can be improved."

2.     Challenge the status quo
  • The status quo is your ultimate enemy.  By definition, innovation is something new that provides a benefit to someone.  The mere exploration of something new challenges the status quo...and it is simply amazing how many organizations are afraid to do just that.

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."

3.     Don't forget about the quality

  • Walt Disney once said, "I want people to walk into a $5 million dollar restaurant to buy a $0.05 cent hamburger."  Walt always believed in "plussing" or giving his guest extra value.  Ideas can be viewed the same way.  Make sure the idea you are working on brings someone benefit and then drive that benefit as far as you can.
"We are not trying to entertain the critics. I'll take my chances with the public."

4.     People expect you to fail, prove them wrong
  • There are a lot of skeptics around the concepts of creative problem solving and innovation.  The non-believers think that the only benefits that a company can achieve are the one's that can be measured.  People who believe in ideas are often expected to fail.  Many times...they will be right.  But sometimes...they will be wrong...and jealous.
"You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality."

5.     People make innovation a success, not the management
  • Innovation, creative problem solving and ideation are fruits of individual thought and effort.  In many cases today, management theory and behavior suppress that thought and effort.  If you are an individual contributor, be willing to think creatively and have the courage to drive your ideas forward.  If you are in the management ranks, be willing to listen to the ideas of your employees and have the courage to promote creative thought in your organization.
"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."

6.     Make meetings more productive
  • Most meetings in Corporate America are mind-numbing, unproductive and a waste of time.  They can, however, be opportunities for idea generation, problem solving, prototyping or discussing innovation strategy.  Make meetings a time that employees look forward to rather than opportunities to come up with excuses not to attend.
"Disneyland will never be completed.  It will continue to grow as long as there imagination left in the world."

7.     Promote and champion change
  • New ideas bring change.  Innovative products and services bring change.  Problem solving brings change.  You can either be a champion of change and lead the way or you can be left behind.  What path are you going to take?
"When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do. And one thing it takes to accomplish something is courage."

8.     Plan to defend your ideas
  • Ideas are always under attack.  Some will try to take credit.  Some will try to kill them before they even have a chance to grow wings.  Some will try to steal them outright.  Some may even try to slowly shrink your ideas into nothing.  Be courageous and strong enough to keep your ideas alive and well protected.
"Why do we have to grow up? I know more adults who have the children's approach to life. They're people who don't give a hang what the Joneses do. You see them at Disneyland every time you go there. They are not afraid to be delighted with simple pleasures, and they have a degree of contentment with what life has brought - sometimes it isn't much, either."

9.     Employees are the greatest source of inspiration
  • Listen to the ideas of every employee.  That's right...every employee.  The CEO has some great ideas.  The VP of Finance has great ideas.  The Manager of IT Shared Services has great ideas.  The Mainframe Technician has great ideas.  The Administrative Assistant has great ideas.  The lady that pushes the mail cart has great ideas.  The guy who cleans the bathrooms has great ideas.  Find the ideas...regardless of the source.
"You know, one day when a little boy asked, ‘Do you draw Mickey Mouse?’ I had to admit I do not draw anymore. ‘Well, then you think up all the jokes and ideas,’ he said. ‘No,’ I said, ‘I don’t do that anymore either.’ Finally he looked at me and said, ‘Mr. Disney, just what do you do?’ ‘Well,’ I said, ‘sometimes I think of myself as a little bee. I go from one area of the studio to another, and gather pollen, and sort of stimulate everybody.’ I guess that’s the job I do."

10.     Know when to manage, and when to lead
  • One of the biggest mistakes I see in innovation management is the inability to know when to lead and when to manage.  My general rule of thumb is to lead by example through the demonstration of innovation seeking behaviors.  Then, manage the ideas, the available free time, the idea pipeline process, and anything but the people.  Let the people do their jobs and prove their ideas.
Walt Disney was an amazing example of the "Intelligent Innovator".  He knew his customers better than they knew themselves.  He knew when to take chances and when to wait.  He was never satisfied with the status quo.  While the world lost a great leader in Walt Disney in 1966, we can still see the fruits of his dreams, ideas and courage just about everywhere we look. 

If you would like to read more about Walt Disney and his amazing pursuit of dreams, I would recommend the amazing How To Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life by Pat Williams

Have a GREAT Week!!!

Posted by Paul Williams at 11/4/2007 2:19 PM
Categories: Creative Problem Solving, Idea Management
 

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