I just did a Google search for “Attributes of Great Innovators” and collected a list. Here is the list categorized by sources and a few of my comments.
Five Discovery Skills that Distinguish Great Innovators
- Associating
- Questioning
- Observing
- Networking
- Experimenting
Clayton M. Christensen thinks skills 2-5 support the Association skill. The ability to connect the dots, see uncommon uses of common things, cross pollinating ideas from different disciplines distinguish innovators from others. But that is just the starting point. Taking these ideas, validating them and experimenting with them ultimately produces innovative products and services.
Mitch Ditkoff of Idea Champions has a much bigger list. There are some overlaps.
- Challenges Status Quo
- Curious
- Self Motivated
- Visionary
- Entertains the Fantastic
- Takes Risks
- Peripatetic
- Playful and Humorous
- Self-accepting
- Makes New Connections
- Reflective
- Recognizes patterns
- Tolerates ambiguity
- Committed to Learning
- Balances intuition and analysis
- Situationally Collaborative
- Formally Articulate
- Resilient
- Persevering
- Flexible/Adaptive
Most of these are self explanatory. Peripatetic ( Changes work environments as needed. Wanders, walks or travels to inspire fresh thinking. Given to movement and interaction.) is one my favorite one.
Wander around, observe, question, reflect, balance intuition with analysis, tolerate ambiguity and make new connections. Kind of like that.
Go to the google search link and find out more about innovators. I am sure you can identify with some of the qualities. Let me know whether we should add more items to this list.