The Innovative Mindset - by John Sweeney & Elena Imaretska (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Behavioral Innovation demystifies the question of "What does it take to be more innovative?" by introducing the idea that innovation is much more of a behavior than a theory or corporate-defined initiative. Like any other behavioral change (losing weight, getting stronger, playing the piano, becoming a better partner), we can identify what we need to need to practice in the area of innovation to create a sustainable regimen that allows us to transform how we act, and most, importantly, reap the positive benefits from our behaviors. The book will include poignant, current case studies that show the reader how living in the Mindset of Discovery and practicing the Big Five can and will lead to significant business productivity and profitability"--

Book Synopsis

Redefine what it means to be innovative

The Innovative Mindset calls the accepted definition of innovation into question, urging you to consider how innovation might function as a behavior that you perpetuate, rather than an inflexible theory or corporate-defined initiative. By asking yourself what it takes to be innovative--and by being honest with yourself about the answer--you can incorporate innovation into your life much in the same way that you would a behavior to help you lose weight, increase your strength, learn to play the piano, or improve your relationships. This groundbreaking text helps you identify what you need to do in order to become more innovative and less fearful, and assists in creating a regimen that transforms how you act.

Innovation has become one of the most popular buzz words of the Digital Age, and there is no better time to reevaluate the true meaning of a concept than when it is being touted by individuals and companies around the world. A fresh, practical understanding of innovation can revolutionize the way you think about work.

• Master innovation by reexamining what it means and how you can implement it as a behavior
• Explore the transformative power of the Mindset of Discovery in poignant, up-to-date case studies and improvisation-based tenets
• Spark innovation, maximize productivity, and increase profitability as a result of implementing the Big Five behaviors
• Boost performance as you foster and leverage your new approach towards innovation

The Innovative Mindset reevaluates the nature of innovation and shows how a change in perspective can lead to more dynamic, more successful endeavors.

From the Back Cover

A corporate real estate consultant walks into the Brave New Workshop Comedy Theatre--and buys it. The punchline comes when his business innovation makes up for 10 percent annual losses and eventually catapults revenue far beyond what any theater should reasonably generate. His secret? The Innovative Mindset.

When the curtain goes up, improvisational comedy actors step into their role as master innovators because there isn't a script. In business, it's harder to know when innovation is needed and how to do it. In this groundbreaking guide, John Sweeney and Elena Imaretska show you how living in the improv actor's mindset of discovery can lead to significant business productivity and profitability. By practicing the Big Five behaviors in your everyday life, you can become a better communicator, be more comfortable with risk, build your confidence, and reduce judging yourself and others--all traits that spark and fuel breakthrough innovations. Eradicate fear from your psyche and free yourself to:

• Distract your inner negative voice and sell your innovation by listening
• Use concrete skills and techniques to eliminate the personal bias hampering innovation
• Build innovation and drive change by declaring your point of view and sharing your opinions and ideas
• Generate insight and diverse points of view by reframing the same situation different ways
• Ensure innovation happens by finding what's useful in the barriers you encounter and moving forward

While this practical guide lets you integrate its lessons into your daily interactions with people right away, only through dedication to your innovation fitness plan and disciplined adherence to your practice regimen can you ultimately approach life head on with a fully developed mindset of discovery.

Whether you want to change your industry or improve your business processes, the first step to finding a solution is The Innovative Mindset.

About the Author

JOHN SWEENEY is the co-owner and executive producer of the Brave New Workshop, America's oldest satirical comedy theatre. He uses his 20+ years of improvisational performance, speaking and training to influence human behavior and to create simple but groundbreaking tools that have ignited cultures of innovative behavior within such companies as Microsoft, PWC, General Mills, and UnitedHealth Group.

ELENA IMARETSKA is vice president of New Products, Partnerships, and Sustainability for the corporate speaking and training business of the Brave New Workshop. She is the architect of the learning model and core curriculum of the organization's offerings and has spent the past 8 years optimizing the business application of the improvisational approach to innovating, collaborating, and leading.