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3 Ways To Become An Innovative Entrepreneur

The potential for disruption is always there in any marketplace. Every entrepreneur can become a disruptor. Start by mastering the disruptive disciplines.

Photo: Ken Gosnell, CEO and Servant Leader of CXP (CEO Experience); Source: Courtesy Photo
Photo: Ken Gosnell, CEO and Servant Leader of CXP (CEO Experience); Source: Courtesy Photo

The potential for disruption is always there in any marketplace.

Disruptive innovation by definition refers to: a change and eventually disrupts an existing market and value network, displacing established market-leading firms, products, and alliances.

The new business reality is that customers want things done better, quicker, and with less effort on their part. As a result, customer-centric innovation demands that leaders define new ways to interact with products and processes.

As an entrepreneur, you can also become a disruptor. Start by mastering the disruptive disciplines of leadership.

 

Disruptive disciplines that inspire innovation

 

1. Challenge the status quo

As an entrepreneur you likely know there is always a better way. However, often the better way requires challenging what some may deem as impossible. Entrepreneur Lolly Daskal notes, “Every single leader, movement, and organization that has ever wanted to create greatness has had to challenge the status quo but some leaders are afraid of the challenge because it would mean they would need to entice improvements, to assemble advancements and to dig deeper into development.”

Ultimately, every great disruptor questions the way things are currently done. Every great invention is the result of someone who dared to ask, “What if?” For example, Elon Musk pointed to this disruptive discipline when he said, “I think that’s the single best piece of advice: constantly think about how you could be doing things better and questioning yourself.” There is always a better way if we are bold enough to question the status quo and find a new path forward.

 

2. Listen to rookies

Disruptors have the ability to see what individuals in a certain field cannot see. In her book Rookie Smarts: Why Learning Beats Knowing in the New Game of Work, Liz Wiseman suggests that not knowing perceived limits, rookies score more often, and it also allows them to score bigger gains.

 

Photo: © Boggy, YFS Magazine

Rookies also have open minds. When they’re new to an industry their inherent naivety is generally offset by a quest to constantly learn and grow. This can be advantageous for a leader who has been entrenched in their industry for a given time and developed tunnel vision.

In the business world disruption usually happens from a customer or business leader who wants to do something better or different. Disruptive leaders are not deterred by people who have never done it before because they are looking for people who want to do it better than before.

 

3. Commit to new beliefs

Disruption does not happen without risk and total commitment. Disruptors are risk takers who are willing to give everything for the completion of their vision.

Entrepreneurs with a disruptive nature often are led to sacrifice a great deal to create a new and better way. Identify your core beliefs, and you will find your beginning. Consider what you believe and where you need to commit to something that could bring positive change to your life and business.

 

Disruption makes a huge difference in life and business. The future belongs to those that see the world in a new and different way. Eleanor Roosevelt reminded us that “the future belongs to those who in the beauty of their dreams.” Find the new and better way, and do not settle until you do something that is different.

 

Ken Gosnell is the CEO and Servant Leader of CXP (CEO Experience). He serves leaders by helping them to have great experiences that both transform them and their organizations that enable to go further faster. He has worked with hundreds of CEOs and leadership teams to enhance strategic, operational and people accomplishments. He is an author, coach, and strategic partner with CEOs. Ken is the creator and facilitator of the Christian CEO Linkedin Group and creator of the CEO Experience Impact Assessment. He is married to Shonda, and they have four children. Connect with @ken_gosnell on Twitter.

 

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