As the years pass, over 50 of them, fewer and fewer people remember his name, and most wouldn’t recognize him and his big smile if he was in the same room. But what won’t be forgotten is what he created. Steve Wozniak was an inventor and his best-known creation we use every day. He invented the personal computer (PC) that sits on your desk, kitchen table, coffee table or lap. Prior to its creation, a computer took up entire rooms of space. His invention has changed so many things in our world, it revolutionized technology.
I am not blessed with the genius of invention, for me it’s one of my two frustrations. I can’t fathom creating something like he did. Trust me when I tell you that no one has ever told me an idea or problem and then wanted me to sit down and generate new solutions. Yuk! I would avoid it like the plague. But not him. I’m in awe of people with the genius of invention and recognize they don’t think like me.
“Invention means everything to me. When I was young, I read stories about people that would invent contraptions to solve problems, and to entrap aliens, and fly into outer space, and pretty much that was like a lot of kids. I said, ‘Boy, I’d love to be one of those people that invents the new things and goes the new direction.’ – Steve Wozniak
I don’t think there could be a clearer statement to describe his genius. Your genius is what gives you energy, it’s what you want to spend more time doing. For you, it’s easy, and often you’ll struggle to understand not everyone (actually most people), can see, think or do like you. Some won’t understand your genius, or even respect your genius, but it’s needed.
All organizations need people with the gift of invention because without inventors, they’ll continue to revisit the same problems over and over. They’ll continue to do what they’ve always done before and because of that, they will miss opportunities and fall behind with their competition.
What are some challenges working with inventors?
Too often inventors see their creation as perfect, causing them to want to skip over discernment (that part of the process which helps figure out if the idea will work and can be implemented) and jump to implementation. They don’t like anyone questioning their idea, offering of a tweak or a twist. Anything but acceptance can be taken as criticism. It’s personal too, as if you told them their baby is ugly. Inventors love to invent, so their solution for everything can be an invention, even when it’s not needed.
The value of inventors is so powerful, it outweighs any challenges of working with them. Just unlock their genius and watch them work. Some inventors are extroverts and need to create out loud, and of course some are introverts who need to be drawn out. Both will love it when you invited them in. Approach an innovator and say to them, “We’re stuck here, what are your thoughts or ideas on how to solve this?”, and they will light up. My wife, who has the genius of invention once worked for a Christian catalog company and her creative juices came alive whenever someone came to her and said, “We have some extra inventory of this product, what can we do with it?” She would jump into action, offering multiple options to them on what to pair the product with to create something new or have another idea for use of the product.
Don’t give an inventor too many restraints because they crave freedom. Yes, you might need to provide a few parameters, but know that they love a blank whiteboard when creating.
Remember, without an inventor, ideas die because nothing gets created and nothing ever changes.
In Jerusalem his inventors made equipment for shooting arrows and for throwing large stones from the towers and corners of the city wall. His fame spread everywhere, and he became very powerful because of the help he received from God. 2 Chronicles 26:15
If you would like to learn more about the Six Types of Working Genius, for your team where you work, or for yourself, please reach out to me at dale@dalekreienkamp.com.
