My Innovation Dilemma
I have finally accepted that I am a visionary. Unfortunately, my lack of patience has caused me to doubt the accuracy of my visions and walk away from them far too early. Until now. I had to learn that innovation takes time. As an early adopter of technology, I know the consumer side of this all too well. I'm a champion of new ideas that make sense and work well. However, as the creator of innovation, there is a time lag that occurs between introducing the innovation, attracting the early adopters to spread the word to the early majority and late majority and then finally the laggards show up. The harder lesson for me to learn was to trust in the quality of what I had to offer, despite the slow burn of the innovation adoption curve.
I am happy to report that it has finally sunken in! I am here and ready to share that wisdom and knowledge in a way that I don't normally see it being shared and because of my past experiences, I know what I am up against: that slow burn. I felt it when I started a blog in 2009 discussing issues of the day with what seemed like an invisible audience. The next time was in 2013 when I got into vlogging motivational content on YouTube every week. It resurfaced when I launched a gourmet dessert company in 2014. I also felt it again when I attempted to introduce virtual, membership-based legal services in 2017. The last time I felt it was with The Detroit Hustle Podcast (it's still available) in 2019. Why did I stop? Sometimes life got in the way but mostly it was my lack of understanding of how innovation works. I perceived my few early adopters as a mismatch to the size of my vision and assumed I was on the wrong track. I also did not communicate effectively with them. Sometimes I didn't even know they were there until I left and they asked where I had gone. Aside from the lost opportunity for revenue, I really felt the sting of the podcast because I stopped mere months before the pandemic. The perfect storm of producing content in the midst of unprecedented content consumption would've been perfect timing. I had something important to share that was never fully captured. I get a little sad thinking about it.
In the many years since then, I learned much more than I could have ever imagined and gained some valuable experience that has led me here. I am now in a position that feels familiar yet foreign. I have brought a concept to market that is a new flavor and am trudging up the hill of innovation yet again. The difference is that this time, I know where I am, where I want to go and what it will take to get there. The other difference is that I am not strictly selling something. I am on a journey to create a community of intentional leaders. This vision is much bigger than a business. It is a culture. All along that is what has been at the root of any of the endeavors that I have tried. And that is exactly what visionaries set out to do. Also, my brand of leadership does not strictly lead for the sake of leading (though this occurs far too often in business). To the contrary, it is all about being a multiplier. If you don't know what a multiplier is, please check out Liz Wiseman's amazing book (hint: they create other leaders). Thank you for allowing me to share a part of my story with you. Lastly, I want to leave you with this: success is great but there is nothing greater in humanity than positively influencing other people.
Sincerely,
-M