Knowledge and Experience versus Creativity and Innovation

I am enough of a business leader to strategise freely upon my imagination.
Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.

I was wondering: Why are people often drawn to those who possess (perceived) knowledge and experience, and fail to appreciate those who generate new insights or answers to unknown questions?

A little research shows this can be understood within the broader context of human cognition, social learning, and behaviour.

According to Social Learning Theory, people are inclined to imitate or admire those who possess knowledge or skills that they value. Individuals who demonstrate expertise or possess valuable knowledge are often perceived as having higher status within social groups.
While knowledge and expertise are valued, Novelty and Creativity play an important role in human cognition and social dynamics. Research suggests that novelty-seeking behaviour releases dopamine in the brain, indicating that people are naturally drawn to new ideas or innovations.
Authority Bias induces the tendency to trust and respect individuals perceived to be authorities or experts on a subject. This bias can lead people to gravitate towards knowledgeable individuals and defer their own opinions or perspectives.
People often seek Social Validation from others. This can lead to a preference for popular ideas and perspectives. In contexts, individuals who possess and share this knowledge may be more positively perceived.

It’s like preferring the finished product over the process of creation. Both are essential, but the allure of the former may be more immediate while the latter requires deeper reflection to appreciate fully.

What got you here, won’t get you there

So what! That little research rationalised the Why, but What does it mean for business leaders in this confusing, changing world, facing the challenge of leveraging insights gained from experience while harnessing transformative potential to navigate uncertainty and drive innovation?

Anchored in the past, knowledge from experience provides a solid foundation for leaders to validate their understanding of industry trends, market dynamics, and organisational nuances, and serves as a valuable resource for decision-making, problem-solving, and risk management. However, relying solely on past practices and conventional wisdom may limit a leader’s ability to adapt to the evolving landscape and must be complemented by a forward-thinking mindset to remain relevant in a dynamic environment.

Serving as pathways to the future, creativity, transformative skills, and analytical skills empower leaders to envision and drive meaningful change within their organisations:

Creativity fosters innovation by encouraging fresh perspectives, unconventional thinking, and the exploration of new ideas.
Transformative skills enable leaders to anticipate and navigate disruptive shifts in technology, consumer behaviour, and market trends.
Vision-setting, strategic planning, and change management capabilities empower leaders to drive organisational transformation and adapt to emerging opportunities and challenges.
Analytical skills equip leaders with the tools to make data-driven and informed decisions, derive actionable insights, and optimize business processes.

It seems to me that while knowledge and experience provide a valuable connection with the past, creativity, transformative skills, and analytical skills serve as enablers for the future. Leaders who can effectively integrate both perspectives are better equipped to navigate complexity, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable growth in an ever-changing world.

Personally I experienced that there is great value in constantly reinventing oneself, particularly in the context of leadership, innovation, and navigating change:

Embrace change and continuously reinvent oneself is essential for staying relevant and resilient in today’s fast-paced world;
Prioritise personal growth, adaptability, and learning agility to be better equipped to navigate uncertainty and drive innovation;
Reinvent yourself, not only acquiring new skills and knowledge but also cultivating a mindset of curiosity, creativity, and openness to new possibilities.

On a personal note

This is a personal search that started in Boston back in 2007 during a workshop with Bill Torbert (Seven Transformations of Leadership). Being assessed a ‘Strategist’ left me confused, working in a culture of ‘Experts’ and ‘Achievers’. Even today, more than 25 years later, I still feel that the ‘loud voice’ of so-called ‘Experts’ is more persuasive than the ‘powerful thoughts’ of a ‘Strategist’.

The search goes on. As the captain so eloquently said: “to boldly go where no man has gone before…”

Resources

Harvard Business Review: “The Innovator’s DNA” by Clayton M. Christensen, Jeffrey Dyer, and Hal Gregersen: https://hbr.org/2009/12/the-innovators-dna
McKinsey & Company Insights: “The CEO moment: Leadership for a new era” by Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, Kevin Sneader, and Kurt Strovink: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/leadership/the-ceo-moment-leadership-for-a-new-era
TED Talks: “The Power of Vulnerability” by Brené Brown and “How Great Leaders Inspire Action” by Simon Sinek offer thought-provoking perspectives on effective leadership.
“Seven Transformations of Leadership” by David Rooke and William R. Torbert: https://hbr.org/2005/04/seven-transformations-of-leadership
“The Innovator’s Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail” by Clayton M. Christensen: This book explores why established companies often struggle to innovate and adapt to disruptive change, highlighting the importance of transformative skills in navigating industry shifts.
“Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World” by Adam Grant: Adam Grant examines the role of creativity and original thinking in driving innovation and challenging the status quo, offering insights into fostering a culture of creativity within organisations.
“Learn To Unlearn To Relearn: Unlearning Old Ways Of Thinking” by Alwin Toffler: “The illiterates of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol S. Dweck: Dweck’s research on the growth mindset emphasises the importance of embracing challenges, learning from failures, and continuously evolving to reach one’s full potential.
“In Praise of the Incomplete Leader” by Deborah Ancona, Thomas W. Malone, Wanda J. Orlikowski, and Peter M. Senge: https://hbr.org/2007/02/in-praise-of-the-incomplete-leader
“Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” by James Clear: This book offers practical strategies for building habits that support personal growth and reinvention over time.
“The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment” by Eckhart Tolle: Not directly focused on leadership, this book explores the importance of living in the present moment, which can be valuable for leaders seeking to balance past knowledge with future-oriented thinking.
“The Start-up of You: Adapt to the Future, Invest in Yourself, and Transform Your Career” by Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha: Explore strategies for navigating career transitions and continuously reinventing oneself in a rapidly changing world.
Quotes are by Albert Einstein (adapted), Marshall Goldsmith, and Charles Darwin.

It’s not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.
(Charles Darwin)