Mindsets that Can Make or Break Innovation

One of the things we love about our jobs is the opportunity to work with a diverse group of leaders, each with their own styles.

That uniqueness is great.

It means we tackle problems from different angles and unearth perspectives that would never see the light of day had we been sitting alone at our desks. 

What’s funny is that while each of us brings something new to the table, there are definite similarities in the types of reactions to new ideas. 

These different but consistently familiar response patterns reinforce that we are all more alike than different.

Recognizing them helps anticipate your own and others’ preliminary reactions to new ideas, so you can acknowledge them, learn from them, and come out the other side with better ideas. 

So, here’s a friendly take on the different response types we’ve observed: 

🧐 The Skeptic

Fan of the “Yes, but" (or even "yes, and"); quick to surface problems that can be the catalyst for smart solutions.  

🎉 The Cheerleader

Bringer of energy. Believer in the team. Makes new ideas feel possible.  

🛑 The Change-Averse

User of the phrase “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Guards the team against shiny object syndrome.  

📚 The Historian

Similar to the reaction above with the extra advantage of having a long institutional memory. Can save the team from repeating mistakes or share ideas that worked in the past.  

🧭 The Explorer

To this group, new ideas are magnets and they are steel. Always looking to experiment and break the status quo.  

📊 The Realist

A killjoy to some; a life saver to others. The voice that says, “Great idea—now let’s talk about how we would actually make this happen.”

❓The Questioner

Doesn’t take sides. Asks smart questions that make everyone think better.  

👂 The Observer

Doesn’t say much and then BAM: lands a thought that reframes the whole discussion.  

Sound familiar?

What’s great is that none of these approaches are right and none of them are wrong. They just are.

And the more of them you have in the room, the better. It means more ideas, better builds, smarter scrutiny, and more successful outcomes.  

So, what is your first reaction to new ideas? How about the rest of the team? 

How can you use this self-awareness to cultivate new ideas and help them grow?