Innovation... and Feedback
Individuals and Networks
“Innovation is about the interplay between individuals and the networks they inhabit.”
This quote is from the book Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed. Rebel Ideas explores how cognitive diversity fuels problem-solving, innovation, and decision-making in ways that talent alone never could.
Syed illustrates this through compelling examples—from the failed 1996 Everest expedition to the CIA's pre-9/11 intelligence failures, all of it articulates the importance of diverse voices and ideas and the risks that stem from cultural homogeneity. There is a lot to the book, and if you haven’t read it, it’s worth checking out.
Rebel Ideas shares some conceptual DNA with Susan Cain's Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. Both works challenge us to reconsider whose voices we amplify and whose we might be missing. Quiet reminds us that the loudest, most confident voices aren't necessarily the ones with the best ideas. (Also good, and worth checking out)
So, back to the quote: “Innovation is about the interplay between individuals and the networks they inhabit.”
What does that mean to you?
To me, it means three things:
Systems matter- they always matter. The ‘networks we inhabit’ are our routines, our connections, the spaces and places we already exist in.
Diversity is essential. I preach this far and wide in my work on serendipity. Nothing new was invented by agreeing voices, validating opinions, and accepting the status quo. (And one has to WORK to find diversity. It doesn’t show up doing what we already do, going where we already go, and reading or talking to the same people we always talk to.)
Feedback loops are essential. They’re part of systems and networks, but they’re easily ignored. One must establish and maintain strong positive and negative feedback loops. It’s also equally important to be great at giving and receiving feedback. The most successful innovators I know have mastered both giving actionable feedback and receiving it non-defensively. They've built feedback mechanisms into every level of their work—from rapid prototyping cycles to regular external reviews. This constant refinement process separates good ideas from truly transformative ones.
What does this mean for your innovation journey? Consider:
How diverse are the inputs in your life? Are you deliberately exposing yourself to perspectives from different industries, cultures, and backgrounds?
What feedback systems have you built? Are you hearing from the right mix of supportive and challenging voices?
Where might your current networks be limiting what you can see or create?
Innovation isn't magical—it's methodical. It emerges from the deliberate cultivation of diverse, interconnected networks that challenge our thinking and refine our ideas.
Here are some additional references:
…
Did you know we have a sibling publication? Practicing Serendipitist tells the stories and explores the practice of serendipity. Join us to see how you can bring more serendipity into your work and life »