Why are these thinking patterns so effective? Rowan believes that the four lenses methodology and thinking patterns behind them basically enhance our mind’s natural capabilities and innate ability to be creative. He is just channeling the inherent human capabilities to question, observe and analyze through a particular series of perspectives or exercises that have proved to be the most efficient and effective and that are used very successfully by great innovators.
Rowan says the first thing you need to do to jump-start this process and get people to embrace this new way of thinking is to demystify it. People think innovation is based on serendipity, bolts of lightning or random chaos. Rowan breaks it down into a simple series of steps. This way, people can understand how to be innovative, realize that it is a process that is doable. It’s an activity and not as complex as it seems. He then illustrates the lenses with exciting case studies, exercises and tools to start people down the road.
He likens his approach to the way Jamie Oliver (or any other popular TV chef) shows people how to cook amazing dishes from around the world. He shows them that these dishes are not as complex as they seem. A chef can break down cooking into a series of simple steps and demonstrate that anyone can do it.
The Institute for Innovation Development is an educational and business development catalyst for growth-oriented financial services firms. We position our members with the necessary ongoing innovation resources and coaching to drive and facilitate their growth, differentiation and unique community engagement strategies. The institute was launched with the support and foresight of our founding sponsors -- Innovation Equity Partners, Pershing, Voya Financial, Ultimus Fund Solutions, Fidelity, MeridianIQ/AdviceIQ, and Charter Financial Publishing (publisher of Financial Advisor and Private Wealth magazines). For more information click here.