By Andy Radka - Senior Partner, Creative Partners

Life has always been an ongoing “battle” between fixed views and new ideas. The “flat earth” believers held out for hundreds of years! Think about current polarized debates on war in Iraq or embryo research? Our thinking is driven by brain patterns -- beliefs, values, assumptions, stereotypes, emotions and entrenched views. These patterns or mindsets are invisible but the behaviors and resultant performance they generate are very, very real.

Research indicates that 80% of the time we operate on automatic pilot with “unconscious” mindsets running things. This was good for escaping quickly from dinosaurs for survival! However, it is less useful when we need innovative answers to today's complex business challenges. Our mindset “filters” make us very selective about what we “see” and restrict available “idea space.” We need to consciously increase “idea space” to increase our revenue streams and performance.

Innovation means generating and implementing new ideas by exploiting the potential creativity that lies within organizations. For this to happen, there needs to be a cultural mindset which thrives on new ideas, rather than acting like an “immune system” which repels them.

The potential business benefits of making innovation part of your organization’s core values are clear. The latest PriceWaterhouseCoopers 2002 Trendsetter survey of fastest growing businesses says innovation gives them a distinct advantage over their toughest competitors; respondents said they expect 30% faster revenue growth from innovation.

We must “unlearn” the mindsets which act as barriers, so we can exploit and profit from the potential of our individual and collective creativity. Changing your mind can literally change your world -- and your organization’s level of performance.

Related Web site:creative-partners.com