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Innovation is What You Demonstrate, Not What You Say You Do
October 11, 2024
Lessons From Some of the Most Innovative People In the Last Decade
The word innovation is a common buzzword you hear frequently working in tech or a creative agency. It’s something we, at FINN, strive to be. It’s often what we push our clients to be as well. And why not? You’re supposed to innovate; push the needle forward. If you’re not innovating, you’re not creating. And if you’re not creating, you’re not challenging the world around you to think bigger, be better, and smash the glass ceiling. Whatever your goal, you owe it to yourself and the people you may inspire to go beyond what you thought possible. But how do you activate innovation? It was one of the burning questions in my mind as I sat among the many innovative hopefuls at the 10th anniversary Fast Company Innovation Festival in NYC, September 16-19, 2024. A platform that brought out the 10 most innovative people of the past decade to the main stage.
Among the roster of such individuals, ‘Deadpool’ and blockbuster actor turn entrepreneur and creative agency owner Ryan Reynolds, writer, actor, producer and founder of Hoorae media company, Issa Rae, Co-CEO of Netflix, Ted Sarandos, the youngest person to chair at the Federal Trade Commission, Lina Khan, beauty brand mogul Pat McGrath, International President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, Sara Nelson, award-winning songwriter, actor, producer, and director, Lin-Manuel Miranda (best known for hit Broadway play Hamilton), Jennifer Doudna, Founder and Nobel Laureate, Innovative Genomics Institute, and Jose Andres, renowned chef and restauranteur.
As I listened intently to hear each of their personal journeys in breaking barriers and building successful brands by thinking out the box and challenging the status quo I, among many I am sure, couldn’t help but be inspired.
Here are some inspiring words and career-hacks they left us with.
1. Ryan Reynolds, Actor, Cofounder, Chief Creative Officer, Maximum Effort; MNTN
During his speech, Reynolds emphasized the importance of using ones passion as a guide and gut check in executing on creativity and by focusing on “bringing people together in smart, fun, and unexpected ways.”
On creating content that people will love and want to engage with he advises agencies to make emotional investments in their audiences, not to waste time overthinking creativity but to execute, and always be willing to listen and adapt when things don’t quite work out.
Key takeaway: Get out of your own way and make the things people want. Stop overthinking the creative process. Create things and put them out into the world and use what you learn to adapt and create something better
2. Issa Rae, Writer, Producer, Actress and Founder, Hoorae
Rae, a former YouTuber, who’s “Awkward Black Girl” series catapulted her into the spotlight, ultimately becoming one of the best storytellers in television and film, reminds us to remain true to who we are.
“I know that there’s always going to be a focus on a very specific audience, and it’s the audience that’s my friends and family. It’s the audience that is my community, and it’s me,” Rae states when asked what inspires her to create.
“It’s me as a little girl. It’s me as a teenager, it’s what I wanted to see and the opportunities that I wanted and I know that seeing made me think that it was possible for me,” she continued.
And Rae makes it clear that she has no intentions of straying far from her base. “Black audience, black women in particular are the core of our audience. I take a lot of pride in that.”
Key takeaway: Be authentic. Stay true to yourself and your audience. Continue to serve the kind of content that your audience enjoys while challenging yourself to grow within the depths of the stories you tell them.
3. Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO, Netflix
Netflix’s Ted Sarandos reminded us that “we should always reserve the right to get smart.” In reflecting on the platform’s earlier days on not doing original programming and having a former executive declare that would never happen, he reveals that the platform had to pivot in order to remain competitive.
Key takeaway: As Sarandos puts it, “never is a focusing word” and ultimately conditions change, and you must be ready to evolve and pivot to adjust to market needs and demand.
4. Lina Khan, Chair, Federal Trade Commission
Lina Khan never dreamed of working for a government agency or for the FTC for that matter. Her early career as a business journalist led her down a path of discovery. Khan’s interest in antitrust laws and legislation grew after discovering the predatory and unfair practices of big businesses to keep competitors at bay. She ultimately decided on a career in policy reform. She’s been so effective that it led her to become the youngest FTC chair.
Takeaway: A commitment to a cause can unlock a passion you never knew existed. Passion can be a catalyst for change and innovative ideas and approaches.
5. Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft
Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella believes that for a company to remain innovative they “should build things so other companies are exciting to build new technology.” It’s certainly been the perception and position of the tech giant.
Nadella also spoke on the desire to not be conventional but in having the ability to adopt new stuff and change process. It was no surprise that conversations around AI became the focal point. As new AI technology emerges and concerns wane with more adopters, Nadella stresses the importance of ensuring there is safety and responsibility in creating things that can produce great outcomes that also drive economic growth.
He adds, “Companies should exist if they’re doing things that are doing good and socially useful.”
Key takeaway: Lead by example. If there is a void left to be filled, fill it, but do so responsibly. Innovation can be exhilarating but it should be done with care.
6. Pat McGrath, Chief Creative Officer, and CEO, Pat McGrath Labs
Beauty and makeup pioneer Pat McGrath reminds us to “push the boundaries and give something to the world that’s worth giving.”
It was her mother’s love of makeup and fashion that sparked her own love of all things beauty but what sets McGrath apart is her tenacity and drive for being brave enough to be different. Her porcelain glass skin makeup creation at the Maison Margiela Fashion Show in Paris earlier this year had the internet ablaze with many trying to replicate the look. It’s been these defining moments in her career that has pushed the industry forward and has led to the launch of her own billion-dollar beauty brand.
McGrath adds that her loyal consumers and community has also kept her on her toes. “We’re so close to our community…..it allows you to think outside the box. They demand that they want something different” and deliver she must.
Key takeaway: Dare to be different. Push yourself and ideas forward no matter how unconventional they may be. Allow your customers and communities to inspire you to be brave enough to rise to the occasion of being unorthodox.
7. Sara Nelson, International President Association of Flight Attendants-CWA
While much of Nelson’s discussion focused on labor relations, union dynamics, and the impact of the most recent and historical events on flight attendants and other workers, her role in developing innovative strategies in labor actions, since 2014, has been crucial in shaping labor policies and ensuring corporate accountability. And while there has been progress she notes there’s more work to be done.
Key takeaway: Never become complacent in the midst of progress. Always keep moving and looking for opportunities to push an initiative forward, making way for new strategies and approach in creating change.
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