Applications of Creatvity and Innovation Test 1

Information- select this column first

Industries and Creativity

Innovators DNA

Empathy

What we gain when focusing more on the innovator instead of idea generation

100

Start here: select 200 in this column after

Welcome to Applications of Creativity and Innovation Jeopardy!

In this game you will be asked questions on several topics we have covered in class up until now. Some answers to the questions can be debated and may depend on the situation but the goal of this game is to review topics we have covered so far and perhaps gain a deeper understanding for them.

I chose this format for test 1 because I am a kinesthetic/interactive learner. The games and activites we have done during class have made learning the content much easier. I wanted to take advantage of the extension we were given and have my test reflect the person I am. So let's test your knowledge on what we've covered so far this semester! Enjoy!

100

Eliminate, reduce, raise, and create are all part of what activity?

Blue Ocean Strategy

The blue oceans strategy is a technique to help us find an uncontested market and move away from markets that are already congested and constantly competing, which is also known as a red ocean (Applications Class 3- Innovators Dilemma - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). The blue ocean strategy helps the user by selecting a red ocean/congested market and seeing what the competitors in the red ocean value (Applications Class 3- Innovators Dilemma - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). Charts can be made to compare the competitors to see how their values are similar and how they contrast, by seeing what these companies value and neglect we can then begin to generate ideas on what a blue ocean could look like, this is where the 4 action plan comes in (Applications Class 3- Innovators Dilemma - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). Eliminate, reduce, raise and create help us manipulate different factors and elements in these red oceans to see if we can create a blue ocean (Applications Class 3- Innovators Dilemma - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). An example of a blue ocean would be interactive museums. Growing up I remember them becoming very popular and I always loved going to them but museums never used to be interactive. There used to be a stereotype around museums that they were boring and strictly educational. People would walk around and see the different exhibits and that was about it. But at one point someone decided to raise being interactive with exhibits, reduce quietness, and create fun (especially for children). There could be arguments that factors like learning were reduced, but someone like myself having interactive components to the exhibits kept them engaging and allowed me to learn more, therefore in my opinion it was raised. Attractions like this might have eliminated some customers that would enjoy the peaceful atmosphere museums gave, but also created a more family friendly environment.

Applications Class 3- Innovators Dilemma - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://slate.sheridancollege.ca/d2l/le/content/1015704/viewContent/13183962/View

100

Flower, friend and scout are 3 words that are associated with the same word. What is that word and what is the name of this activity?

Girl. The test is referred to as the RAT test, which stand for remote associates test.

The RAT test is part of associational thinking related to cognition (Applications Class 5- Innovator’s DNA - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). Innovators tend to have a greater ability to make connections with concepts that seem as though they do not go together (Applications Class 5- Innovator’s DNA - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). This can lead to great ideas because they see the world differently and are able to make unique connections others do not make; these innovators create new combinations of elements (Applications Class 5- Innovator’s DNA - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). The RAT test was a study that helped determine who was able to make these associations with what seemed to be unrelated concepts and could potentially help others develop this skill (Applications Class 5- Innovator’s DNA - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). Unlike intellect, associative thinking has the potential to be learnt. Some people may find this associative thinking skill occurs naturally to them, but it can also be practiced. Practicing associative thinking and improving on it may not help one become an innovator as there are various qualities to innovators that separate them from the general population, but it is a step towards creativity and innovation.

Applications Class 5- Innovator’s DNA - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://slate.sheridancollege.ca/d2l/le/content/1015704/viewContent/13209257/View

100

Physically feeling what someone else does is what type of empathy?

Emotional Empathy

Emotional empathy is connected to physically feeling something that is not physically occurring to you (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). Instead the person you are watching doing an action or feeling an emotion is mirrored into you (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). Observing someone and physically feeling a reaction yourself is referred to as mirroring (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). This is when your brain activity is occurring at the same location in your head as it would if you did the act yourself, however you are only observing (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.).

Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://slate.sheridancollege.ca/d2l/le/content/1015704/viewContent/13222719/View

100

True or false, idea generation includes the implementation of said ideas?

Idea generation is simply the formation of ideas but it can eventually lead to the implementation of ideas. There are many techniques that can be used to form ideas such as associative thinking like the RAT test, or brainstorming using divergent and convergent thinking. However the problem with idea generation is the fact no plan is set in place to implement any of the ideas and majority of the ideas generated never get to the planning stage (Levitt, 2002).

Levitt, T. (2002, August 1). Creativity Is Not Enough. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2002/08/creativity-is-not-enough

200

Side note to our Jeopardy- let the game begin!

The game is more of a trivia opposed to jeopardy. A question will be asked and then you can answer with what you feel is correct. Then flip over the card and see what was written. Answers do not have to be exact and some are longer to go into detail about certain topics.

Note: the cards below have random creative facts we did not learn in class. Can you guess them correctly?

200

What is the importance of Duchamp’s “Fountain”?

It pushed and continues to question the boundaries of what creativity is and what defines it. Especially in the world of art.

Duchamp’s Fountain is indeed a urinal that he did not make or have any contributions to making, all the artist did was sign his “fountain” and enter it into an exhibit (How Can Duchamp’s ‘Fountain’ Be Both Art and Not Art?, n.d.). In class we reviewed what defines creativity, which can be extended to art and Duchamp’s Fountain. Creativity has 4 domains, it can be beautiful, useful, new and/or surprising. Although the market of urinals is not new, personally I don’t find it beautiful, and with it not attached to plumbing it isn’t necessarily useful either (Applications Class 2- Creativity v Innovation - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). However, this fountain is surprising because it pushes the boundaries of what is art and by extension, what is creativity. Arguably this statement of the fountain can also be useful in a philosophical sense because it has the audience think more deeply about what constitutes as art and as being creative (How Can Duchamp’s ‘Fountain’ Be Both Art and Not Art?, n.d.). This piece was new to the world of art as no one had taken this perspective before and in that sense one could consider it beautiful (I don’t but someone could). In an article regarding Duchamp’s fountain Arthur Danto states that the urinal became “about something”, the urinal was no longer used in the manner it was initially made for, instead it had a more meaningful task for the world (How Can Duchamp’s ‘Fountain’ Be Both Art and Not Art?, n.d.). Personally I really enjoyed this story because it started making me think about what creativity is and just because you invent something does that truly give that person the title of innovator? This piece was a good introduction into what makes an innovator and the common qualities we find innovators have.

Applications Class 2- Creativity v Innovation - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://slate.sheridancollege.ca/d2l/le/content/1015704/viewContent/13130171/View

How can Duchamp’s ‘Fountain’ be both art and not art? | Aeon Essays. (n.d.). Aeon. Retrieved October 26, 2022, from https://aeon.co/essays/how-can-duchamp-s-fountain-be-both-art-and-not-art

200

Thomas Edison is most commonly know for the invention of the lightbulb. What would be his most distinct personality trait if we were to categorize him into the innovator's DNA?

Behavioral: Experimenting

"I have not failed. I've found 10,000 ways that won't work"~Thomas Edison (Dyer et al., 2009). Thomas Edison is known for his invention of the lightbulb and throughout my years in highschool and elementary I would hear this quote often. Supposedly, Thomas Edison would continuously experiment with ways to create elective light (Dyer et al., 2009). His need to try new ways to make his product successful, physcial tinkering and exploring what works and doesn't are key components with the experimenting trait involved in the innovator's DNA (Applications Class 5- Innovator’s DNA - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.).

Fun fact: Thomas Edison was not the first person to invent the lightbulb (2011). Instead there is speculation he read an article from a British inventor named Joseph Swan and made improvements to his invention (2011). Despite this Thomas Edison still has majority of the credit to this day of the invention of the lightbulb. It appears he did not have a lot of compassionate empathy in his innovators DNA as he took full credit for his contribution up until he was sued. But this does strengthen his experimenting trait as he also engaged with his surroundings and used sources he had available to create his llightbulb (Applications Class 5- Innovator’s DNA - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d., 2011.).

Australian Government. (2011). Did Thomas Edison steal the idea for electric light globes? https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/sites/default/files/education/worksheet_3-_who_was_joseph_swan.pdf?acsf_files_redirect#:~:text=Swan%20even%20publicly%20unveiled%20his,copy%20of%20Swan’s%20light%20bulb.

Dyer, J. H., Gregersen, H., & Christensen, C. M. (2009, December 1). The Innovator’s DNA. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2009/12/the-innovators-dna

200

What helps us better understand the inner workings of another person's mind?

Cognitive empathy

Cognitive empathy allows the innovator to take different perspectives (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). People that are very cognitively empathetic communicate with others very well as they are able to understand what matters most to the person they are talking to (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). This type of empathy is really important for innovator’s because it helps them understand the function of people and perhaps the needs they have which can lead to the creation of useful products.

200

Why do bosses sometimes dislike the eager new employee that comes up with so many amazing ideas?

Because they are exactly that, ideas. People that have a lot of creative ideas do not always understand the inner workings of a company and may generate an abundance of ideas that could benefit the company but anyone and everyone can generate ideas (Levitt, 2002). The problem is the application process, not everyone has the determination and dedication to work at putting an idea into action (Levitt, 2002). In addition these new ideas add extra work to the boss, this is something they do not want to add to their already busy schedule (Levitt, 2002). Especially since these new ideas are typically much less urgent than other situations that need to be dealt with (Levitt, 2002). By taking the time to work on this idea forces the boss to ignore more dire situations. Idea generation can be useful but can also leave people with unrealistic expectations on what can be accomplished and typically these ideas that were generated are forced onto someone else who now will need to take time away from their work to figure out how or if these ideas can be implemented.

Levitt, T. (2002, August 1). Creativity Is Not Enough. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2002/08/creativity-is-not-enough

300

Do creative people live short lives?

No! People who are more creative tend to live longer (Groening, n.d.). One thing creative people are really good at is how they react to stress (Groening, n.d.). Apparently creative people tend to see obstacles as challenges and not a closed door which I would imagine leads to decreased stress (Groening, n.d.).

Groening, J. (n.d.). Creative Thinking: 52 Science-Based Facts About the Creative Mind. FORMAT. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://www.format.com/magazine/features/art/creative-thinking-science-facts/

300

When netflix was introduced to the public it became a _______ to blockbuster.

Disruptive technology

Blockbuster was a part of this creative destruction, as discussed in class, they once had the opportunity to buy netflix but chose not to as they believed it would not have appealed to the current consumers at the time (Applications Class 3- Innovators Dilemma - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). Nowadays we see Netflix everywhere, it is popular, and the once booming blockbuster industry is nowhere to be found. This not only shows Netflix being a disruptive technology but also allows us to witness blockbusters' creative destruction.

300

What is something that cannot be learnt in the innovator's DNA?

Intelligence– everything else has the potential to be learnt.

There is much debate about whether we can improve our intelligence but so far there is very little evidence to support that we can increase IQ (Applications Class 5- Innovator’s DNA - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). One article I read discussed that during the teenage years that IQ can fluctuate which suggests that intelligence is not static (IQ Is Not Fixed in the Teenage Brain, n.d.). Although there were no suggestions on what caused this, my prediction is things are occuring at a molecular/cellular level during puberty. The hormones that are being released in the body could have an impact on one’s neural pathways and neurons. With that being said there is potential that this could lead to intelligence being something we are able to improve, but we do not know how this could occur just yet (IQ Is Not Fixed in the Teenage Brain, n.d.). Another concept that was in the Innovator’s DNA study was 1/3 of being an innovator can be caused by genetics whereas the other 2/3 appear to be environmental learning (Dyer et al., 2009). This is believed to be true as there have been studies on identical twins that were separated at birth that appear to have common innovator traits but both twins are not necessarily considered innovators which implies there is more to an innovator than genetics (Dyer et al., 2009).

Dyer, J. H., Gregersen, H., & Christensen, C. M. (2009, December 1). The Innovator’s DNA. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2009/12/the-innovators-dna

IQ Is Not Fixed in the Teenage Brain. (n.d.). Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://www.science.org/content/article/iq-not-fixed-teenage-brain

300

Why is empathy important for innovator’s?

Helps promote creativity and allow for perspective taking, being more open to experiences and notice problems more.

Empathy is crucial for innovators because it is the building block for everything that creates an innovator (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). Empathy allows the innovator to gain unique perspectives which can lead to associative thinking and making connections to generate ideas (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). Perspective taking opens us to new experiences and can lead to networking. Additionally, empathy adds value to the product an innovator makes because there is meaning behind the manufacturing of it (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). This purpose inspires people and will promote consumption of the product; this is part of Simon Sinek’s Golden circle, which will be discussed in another part (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.).

300

Does Idea generation add value to the world?

No but can work towards adding value to it.

Few ideas make it to the planning stage and even fewer make it to the implementation phase (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). This is where the innovator steps in. The innovator will find out what is missing from the world through questioning, observing, networking and experimenting (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). The innovators will use other’s perspectives to solve the problem, or discover a problem they knew nothing about. This is the beginning of Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle. The golden circle starts from the center, which is the first step, and works its way out to the outer portion of the circle (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). The center asks why, why do we need to invent something (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). The answer could be to make people’s lives easier, save peoples lives, fix a problem etc. This is dependent on the innovator and what they want to change in the world or dependent on their following. Then, there is the how which involves the implementation of a plan that will lead to manufacturing and bringing the product to life (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). Lastly the outermost part of the golden circle is the what; this is where the idea is transformed into a product (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). All of this is only possible by observing, questioning, networking and experimenting. Bringing an idea to life is what adds value because speaking an idea out into the universe is something everyone can do, but innovators implement. That is why we began to shift our focus from creativity to innovators, because you could be the most creative person on this earth but all of those great ideas will have no value if they are not put into action. If no one gets to experience these great ideas then how were they truly great.

400

True or false creative people are more likely to be truthful?

False

This is interesting because the reasoning behind why creative people are dishonest is that they feel unique and entitled because they deem themselves as creative (Groening, n.d.). Although I am curious how they decided who were creative people and who were not.

400

Who said “process of industrial mutation that incessantly revolutionizes the economic structure from within, incessantly destroying the old one, incessantly creating a new one” and what were they referring to?

Joseph Schumpeter said this and it refers to the ever changing world and continuous revolutions involved in markets (Applications Class 3- Innovators Dilemma - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). This is a part of capitalism, where new innovations are introduced to the markets which leads to old innovations becoming less and less popular until they are destroyed (Applications Class 3- Innovators Dilemma - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.).

Disruptive technology is when a new product is introduced to a market. This can disrupt the current market as it begins as cheap and convenient for users (Applications Class 3- Innovators Dilemma - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). This attracts a particular crowd of which other companies do not feel the need to appeal to or care to branch out to (Applications Class 3- Innovators Dilemma - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). This can lead to the Innovator’s Dilemma when a company chooses to stick with what they know to appeal to the customers they currently have and make them happy (Applications Class 3- Innovators Dilemma - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). Although as time goes on and this disruptive technology begins to develop and appeal to other consumers including the consumers of big companies, ath this point it is too late for the company to buy into this product (Applications Class 3- Innovators Dilemma - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). There are a lot of examples of this throughout history because disruptive technology and creative destruction of companies is part of evolution.

An example would be smartwatches in the watch industry. These watches are able to send text messages, take calls, track heart rate, sleeping patterns and so much more than simply telling the time of day it is (“Smartwatch,” n.d.). Smart watch consumers like to have all of this accessible right below the palm of their hand. However this was not always the case, back in 2015 Apple released their first smartwatch which first appeared not to do well in sales for the first while (“Smartwatch,” n.d.). The consumer pool was smaller and technology was not evolved enough to do everything we had hoped for, the batteries would drain fast and we would say smartwatches were “not for everyone” (“Smartwatch,” n.d.). But as their technology improved so did their consumer pool. Now regular watches are becoming less and less popular as smartwatch sales increase. I personally see older generations even wearing smartwatches more and more. This to me says smartwatches are now widely accepted among a variety of consumers; I’m curious what is next in the watch industry.

Smartwatch: The Product We Thought That Was Doomed to Fail. (n.d.). Digital Innovation and Transformation. Retrieved October 26, 2022, from https://d3.harvard.edu/platform-digit/submission/smartwatch-the-product-we-thought-that-was-doomed-to-fail/

400

What is the strongest and most consistent personality trait likely to occur when one has the potential for creative achievement?

Openness to experience

Being open to experiences is so important for innovators because it allows them to experience a variety of real world material that can help provide connections to their work (Applications Class 5- Innovator’s DNA - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). There are 3 core components to being open to experience, intellectual, affective and aesthetic engagement (Applications Class 5- Innovator’s DNA - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). Intellectual engagement loves problem solving and searching for answers (Applications Class 5- Innovator’s DNA - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). Affective engagement focuses more on exploring emotions and uses compassion, empathy and gut feelings to make decisions (Applications Class 5- Innovator’s DNA - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). Aesthetic engagement is connected to the beauty of the work and artistic creativity, this component tends to explore art (Applications Class 5- Innovator’s DNA - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.).

400

When someone is suffering and we begin to develop anxiety or feel unsettled this is called what?

Personal distress

Personal distress is part of compassionate empathy. Compassionate empathy allows us to feel motivated to help an individual if needed (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.).

400

What is the difference between innovators and everyone else?

Innovators invent whereas regular people simply generate ideas. Innovators implement their ideas and try to give them value.

Innovators go the extra mile and put in time and are committed to their idea because they want it to be invented. They are dedicated and will take the time to travel, question, observe, experiment, experience everything they possibly can to help improve their invention (Applications Class 5- Innovator’s DNA - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). An innovator I have been following is a man attempting to change the clothing industry, starting off with jeans. I first saw him on tiktok and in all honesty I didn’t realize how many innovative traits he had until just recently. Kristian is an innovator I have been following along with and it has been so fascinating to watch his journey. First he found his why. Kristian found out womens jeans never fit properly, the pockets are too small, sizing is never consistent across companies and although you can easily spend $100 on jeans they are never what you want them to be. When he found out about this problem women had, he continued to reach out to people, questioning them to gather as much information as he possibly could. He later moved onto traveling around the whole world finding the best company to manufacture these jeans. He wanted the company to be eco-friendly and made sure the workers were paid fairly. He started looking into different fabrics, designs and networking out to people. Kristian would ask his audience what they thought of the fabric samples he was leaning towards and what his potential consumers' price ranges would be. His goal is to make jeans for everyone and give people the confidence they deserve to feel in clothes. He started putting his plan into action a couple months ago and released his first launch of the jeans not long ago. To which they are already sold out but from what I have read in the reviews is phenomenal. Not only is he trying to change the fashion industry to have clothes fitting people, instead of, people fitting the clothes, he is doing so in a way that is gender inclusive and a loving environment. Companies know his products are an up and coming trend, large fast fashion industries have tried to shut him down, especially early on in this journey but he continued to fight through it. All in all not only does he portray all the behavioral innovator traits but he cares so much about this cause, you can see how empathetic he is and wants his consumers to feel comfortable and confident in their bodies and what they put on themselves. His tik tok is @kirstianfrommtn if you want to look at his journey.

500

True or false, psychopathic tendencies are commonly found in creative types of people?

True

There are links between psychopathic behaviours and artistic ability (Groening, n.d.). Additionally, creative people tend to lack control with their emotions and can be dishonest with working on their creative flow (Groening, n.d.).

This I think is very interesting because as I was working on this test I was watching Criminal Minds. And although this is a twisted way to look at innovators, but killers can be inventive too. However, each of them appear to drastically lack empathy or perspective. I thought this fact was interesting because we focus on the good of creativty and innovation but there are darker sides to these topics too. It would be fascinating to read the studies on this fact and see what else they might have found or see how accurate this truly is.

500

Apple has released a new Iphone, what would this be an example of in regards to innovtion in markets?

Incremental Innovation

Incremental innovation is a currently existing product being introduced to it’s regular market (Applications Class 2- Creativity v Innovation - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). This product can catch the eyes of consumers because they are released with new updates/improvements to them that are different from their current product they have (Applications Class 2- Creativity v Innovation - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). Examples can be technology, new phones or laptops where their software may be updated and new features are given to them to help improve the consumer’s use in some way. Others can be the release of new clothing lines, cars or shoes. None of the products released are completely changing their markets or being applied to another market or a whole new industry all together.

Whereas, a product being released as tape for shoes could be architectural as we are taking tape from its market and moving it into shoes. Instead of wearing shoes you put this fabric tape along the bottom of your feet. This could be advertised to help naturally ground people to earth again and help retrain people’s intrinsic foot muscles which in time will help their arches improve. Note: this is not supported by anything except talking to people throughout life and their beliefs. This could retrain people to not use shoes but I don’t believe this technology currently exists or how practical it is.

500

Someone walks into a room full of people. What might an innovator do when they first see this person?

Observe, question and network

Innovator’s goals typically are to gain insight and the best way to do that is through observing, networking and questioning. As a result when a new person walks into a room I believe an innovator will see them as a new opportunity to learn from. The order may not go exactly as followed but I believe they would first observe the newcomer and see how they interact with the room and people within it. An innovator will watch their stature and read their body language to get a better understanding of who this person is and how to approach them. Then they may go over and introduce themself and chat with the person, questioning them first on general topics but slowly moving into their perspective on life and areas the innovator has been mulling over. These questions will further allow the innovator to see the world through the newcomers eyes and look at things from a different angle (Applications Class 5- Innovator’s DNA - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). Lastly, the innovator could reach out about having the newcomer test an idea or product the innovator has invented and explore their thoughts on said product (Applications Class 5- Innovator’s DNA - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). They would take note of what the newcomer has to say and potentially adapt their product to help future consumers. Networking will allow the innovator to experience a different perspective which is crucial because it allows the innovator to better understand the world and by extension will be able to generate better ideas and improve their inventions (Applications Class 5- Innovator’s DNA - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.).

500

What do rats and monkeys have to do with empathy?

Studies were conducted to determine whether there behavior was empathetic

There were studies done on rats and monkeys in regards to empathy. The rat study looked at how 2 rats reacted together in an enclosed space (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). One was able to freely roam while the other was trapped in a smaller box within; the free rat would open the cage to free the other rat (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). Another trial replaced the trapped rat with a chocolatewhile still having a rat that was able to move around freely (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). The rat in this trial would ignore the chocolate locked in the box (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). The last trial looked at 2 locked boxes, one with a rat locked in and one with the chocolate (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). The free roaming rat would open the box to the other rat, then they would open the locked box with chocolate in it and share the chocolate (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). This suggests there is a biological aspect of empathy that causes certain behaviors (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.).

The monkey study had a monkey observe other monkeys picking up food (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). While the monkey observed, its brain was monitored (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). The brain activity showed similar responses to the actions performed as though the monkey observing is performing the actions it is watching (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). The same reaction occurs with humans as we have similar mirror neuron systems (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.).

Both of these studies help show empathy is more than an emotion humans feel. It is a biological occurrence that allows species to survive (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). Empathy is a strong instinct that can dictate our behavior and help us understand others (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). I thought the rat study was interesting because it shows that empathy is not something unique to our species but is in the genetic code for animals which tells us that empathy may not be learnt through our environments, but a genetic component people have.

500

Can people learn how to be innovators?

Maybe. We don’t know for sure if people can simply become innovators but I think it’s important to learn what traits innovators carry to help us try to be more innovative. The traits innovators have seem to all apply to paying attention to the world and their interactions/experiences with it (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). 2/3 of an innovator is supposedly caused by their environment (Dyer et al., 2009). This tells me there is potential that people can improve and become more innovative. Someone could do this by working on noticing details, reflecting on the world around them, asking why things are the way they are and by reaching out and building connections with people. The more we open ourselves up to experiences the more we learn, and if we reflect on what we learn we may find something we want to change in the world. Although I also believe intrinsic motivation is very important. Intrinsic motivation will help innovators to keep trying even when it feels like the world is against them (Applications Class 6- Characteristics of the Innovator Cont - CULT34857GD Applications of Creativity and Innovation, n.d.). Finding intrinsic motivation is so important because if you are not motivated to learn how to be an innovator or not motivated to innovate, then what is stopping you from giving up?

Dyer, J. H., Gregersen, H., & Christensen, C. M. (2009, December 1). The Innovator’s DNA. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2009/12/the-innovators-dna