A recent discussion in the “Front End of Innovation” group over at LinkedIn was inspired by the movie “Slumdog Millionaire.”
Mr. Amit Dharia, chimed in with some wonderful observations that I’d like to share with you.
The name “slumdog” was inspired from the phrase “underdog”.
True innovators prefer to be underdogs. Underdogs, stay below radar until ready to ambush to kill. Unlike “noise makers” they can stay in shadows for long and keep quiet. Both confidentiality and element of surprise is required.
The second feature of film is “focused opportuntinism” – whatever a path you have to take, be open minded and take it. Zigzag better than linear path. If a path needs to be changed, change it quickly.
The third feature is resourcefulness. Innovation needs not only creative mind and hopeful heart but also resourcefulness. Great innovations and great ideas need less money. Surprisingly, people who come to USA from underdeveloped countries do very well in IT and technologies where less resources are required. Lesser you have, mind works extra hard to fulfill the gaps.
The most important lesson is innovation cannot be born in structured environment. Innovation needs dramatically surprising and unconventional thinking.
Slumdog is also about pride with humility. Those of us who have seen slums of India, can bear witness to the fact that the heavenly hopes can only grow in human made hells. Wild flowers grow in jungles and not in well trimmed backyards.
What do you think of Mr. Dharia’s observations?