by Jim Woodell
This article was originally published on LinkedIn on May 15, 2022

Innovation may be one of the most overused words of the last five decades.

We are awash in innovation, and people and organizations everywhere are striving to be innovative. But there doesn't appear to be a lot of agreement on just what innovation is. Definitions include a variety of characteristics including creativity, value creation, and more.

Here are five qualities that are in my definition of engagement, and I think it would be valuable for you to consider these characteristics, too, when assessing innovation.

Useful

Many definitions of innovation stop at creativity. Innovation is different from the creative or inventive act because it moves the creative idea into useful action.

Problem-Solving

My definition of innovation focuses on a particular form of utility—problem-solving. Innovations (noun) should solve problems, and the act of innovation (verb) should engage us in problem-solving.

Resilient

In a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world, innovations and innovating must help us to build resilience.

Human-Centered

If it is not focused on the needs and desires of the people whom are the intended beneficiaries of the innovation, it is not innovative.

Inclusive

Perhaps most importantly, innovation must engage the intended beneficiaries in the design and delivery. Both innovation (verb) and innovations (noun) must be broadly accessible.

What do you think? What's in your definition of innovation?