Leading Innovation
Building Creative Capacity
Innovation is preceded by creation.
Creativity was the most in-demand soft skill for applicants over the past two years according to this LinkedIn Learning report. Collaboration, at number 3, has also held it’s place for the past two years. Any wonder?
That’s why we get excited about a focus on Collaborative Creativity. It’s the engine that fires innovation. Creative Collaboration also boosts engagement. And the good news is that creativity can be learned, practiced and improved. You don’t have to wait for a flash of brilliance from your Muse.
We like this 4-P (right) model adapted from Mel Rhodes in his 1961/1987 article titled An Analysis of Creativity.


Leading Innovation
Every organization needs to innovate. Here at Third Thought we often use the Three Horizons Model (McKinsey) to frame an innovation strategy. Every organization ought to have a portfolio of innovation–from improving today’s execution to developing seeds for the future. And, more importantly, we believe that every leader should manage a portfolio of innovation efforts across all three horizons.
Horizon Three: Seed Spot and champion new possibilities
Horizon Two: Commercialize Transform new possibilities into viable opportunities
Horizon One: Core Maximize margin of viable opportunities
Regardless of your function, whether you work in the R & D labs or manage current operations, there are opportunities to explore and innovate in all three horizons.