I woke up early this morning to finish a very profound article on the future of jobs. This clearly is not it. Instead, I thought we could have a little fun with an idea that’s been rattling around in my head since I’ve been doing innovation: Innovation is like sex. A lot like it. A bunch of unrelated (hopefully) individuals having intercourse, hoping to birth something extraordinary. Well, at least that’s what the textbooks say.
Here are 11 ways innovation is like sex:
- Both will be messy…even if you’re doing it right. Especially if you’re doing it right.
- Those talking about it most are doing it the least.
- Chemistry is important. Different partners produce wildly different results.
- Variety and exploration are fun, but most experiments don’t work out. The few that do, can be amazing.
- You don’t have to be first for it to be great. (OK, for one of them, you might want to be first that day.)
- Both are more satisfying when you don’t have to pay for it.
- Both spawned a cottage industry of experts teaching you how to get some. (Myself included…I suppose.)
- You probably shouldn’t do either until you’re ready – mentally, physically, financially.
- Neither requires a special room, but the right atmosphere makes a difference. May I suggest some Barry White? For the office, of course.
- Both can only achieve transcendence once you commit and invest for the long term.
- Everyone can tell when you’re faking it.
Back to the serious stuff next week…
Image: Paul Vera-Broadbent/CC/Flickr