After Thanksgiving we often have to deal with the leftovers. While we view the Thursday meal as the culinary focus, it’s the leftovers that result in innovation. So, I created an acronym for the innovation process from the word “leftovers”. It can apply to cooking a meal from leftovers or designing a new product.
L-ook at the situation and define the problem (I’ve got a few people over for a party, leftovers in the fridge and beer chilling and people will be hungry. In what ways can I feed them?)
E-ntertain possible combinations of solutions (I could order pizza…hmm, looks like an awful lot of turkey left, some stuffing, stuffing croquettes maybe?, gravy and a lot of cranberry sauce, a little pumpkin pie, some spicy hot mustard looks lonely in the fridge…hmm…I yell out some possible food combos to get feedback)
F-ocus on the best solutions (…turkey sandwiches with cranberry mustard sauce – sweet!)
T-est the best (throw together some cranberries and mustard in a shotglass and dip my finger in…niiiiice…grab some bread and start toasting it, try nuking a little turkey…)
O-bserve and learn what works and what doesn’t (The microwave dries out the turkey too much, I heat up the oven and warm the turkey in there. Noticed that there’s too much juice in the bottom of the cranberry container- it’s making the mustard too watery…)
V-alidate the results with more testing and feedback (Finished mixing the bigger batch of cranberry mustard,let my wife try it – she dunks in a piece of warm turkey from the oven and bites a piece of bread- amazing!!)
E-scalate the scale of the implementation of the solution (Slice the bread, call the friends into the kitchen and have them build their sandwiches)
R-eflect on what worked and what didn’t (Sandwiches were a hit, but beer might have been too hoppy. Red meat only may actually have worked better, maybe chipotle pepper in the mustard for some smoke…)
S-avor the Successes…
So there you have it – innovation from leftovers!
Cool Postscript – I originally wrote this post a bunch of years ago. A few months later I found out they used this acronym/article in a presentation on innovation at NASA. 😊😎
As we appreciate all the bounty around us, remember also that Thanksgiving vibes bring a feast of creativity.
1. Gratitude shifts our focus from what’s missing to what we’ve got. It opens our eyes to possibilities we might’ve missed.
2. Thankfulness brings joy and happiness, boosting our well-being and motivation. When we’re feeling good, we’re more likely to take risks and find innovative solutions.
3. Gratitude helps us see how supported we are — the people, materials, opportunities, and even our own talents. Recognizing this boosts our confidence, laying a solid foundation for exploring new creative ideas.
4. Gratitude builds a positive mindset and resilience. When challenges hit, being thankful reminds us to keep going, even when things get tough.
5. Thanking others fosters collaboration and teamwork. Appreciation fosters an environment where diverse perspectives spark more creativity.
6. Gratitude can help put us in flow, fully absorbed and engaged in creative activities.
In a nutshell, Thanksgiving gratitude isn’t just about turkey—it’s the secret sauce for unlocking creative potential and finding joy in our creative adventures, not just today, but every day of the year! 🎨✨
Creativity is inherently authentic and true to itself. It doesn’t strive to conform or be something it’s not.
At the same time, creativity has the power to manifest in various forms and expressions, adapting and transforming into different ideas, artworks, or innovations.
The nature of creativity is limitless, transcending boundaries, simultaneously source and expression, noun and verb.
Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is a tool developed by the Museum of Modern Art and cognitive psychologist Abigail Housen. It enhances critical thinking and creativity by exploring art through three simple questions: What’s happening? What do you see supporting that? What else?
Now take it further with the “Multi-sensory Insight Method,” applying the same approach to all senses. Dive deep into scenes, experiences, and emotions, fostering mindfulness beyond sight and building your creativity. Join the conversation and let’s talk about this transformative method. 🎨✨
If you walked into an area designated as a coffee bar at your place of work, which of these two signs would you want to see?
Which sign gives the impression that creativity and innovation are valued and woven into the lifeblood of the company – that the company walks its talk?
Which sign better appreciates the depth of human interactions?
If you walked into an area designated as a coffee bar at your place of work, which of these two signs would you want to see?
Which sign gives the impression that creativity and innovation are valued and woven into the lifeblood of the company – that the company walks its talk?
Which sign better appreciates the depth of human interactions?
In the name of science , I have done the fork experiment , and I can’t say that it’s a particularly pleasing experience.
In fact, I might say that it is a tad unpleasant.
There’s something about the cold tines on the fork that do something funky to the surface of the tongue. And it’s a lingering experience, like your tongue is underneath a metal grate.
Now, there are advantages to using a fork. The points on the tines actually help dig into harder ice cream so you can get the frozen joy with less effort. In fact, in the 1800s, there was a Victorian precursor to the spork, a spoon with three little points that was specifically for ice cream (how’s that for a Victorian Secret?😎)
The point here is that functional doesn’t always translate to a better experience. But what is the ultimate goal of using a fork or a spoon? Is it just to get the food from the plate to the mouth, or is it something more?
Eating with a fork or a spoon is using a tool to create an experience. It is an intermediary.
Our lives are filled with intermediate experiences, steps along the way. A cap on a juice bottle, a push button on a pen, tying laces to keep the shoe from falling off, all of these are intermediate steps.
What I love about culinary innovation is that it pays attention to each step. Nothing is, or at least should be, taken for granted. From the shape of plates, to their temperature, to their color, to utensils, to their material, all of these impact the experience of the food and so chefs are meticulous about paying attention to them and knowing what the result will be when they mix and match all these different variables.
So many things in the world are functional to a fault. They work, and maybe even better from one perspective, but with regards to creating an experience that is smooth and flavorful and lingering? They just don’t rise to the occasion.
If you really want to design great experiences, pay attention to all the steps along the way like a chef would. People will notice.
The mystery of the whole becoming greater than the sum of its parts, and the parts being all they can be.
It’s also one of my favorite videos of all time. I cannot watch it without getting chills, tears, or both.
It’s a wonderful example of how the passion of one person ignite’s a whole room of individuals and those in turn fan the original flame to create this wonderful synergy of joy and light.
Watch the other people who are singing and playing in the background. They literally are being lifted off their feet by the energy in that room.
So how does something like this happen?
According to researchers, these are some of the conditions for achieving group flow:
– A clear goal: Group members should have a shared understanding of what they are trying to achieve. – A high challenge: The group task should be sufficiently difficult/complex to require the full attention and skills of the group members. – A balance of skills: Group members should have complementary abilities and expertise that match the demands of the task. – Immediate feedback: The group should receive timely and accurate information about their performance and the outcomes of their actions. – Close listening: Group members pay attention to each other’s contributions, and build on them in a constructive way. – “Yes, and”: The group should adopt a positive and supportive attitude, avoiding criticism and negativity, and instead saying “yes, and” to each other’s suggestions. – Complete concentration: The group should be fully immersed and focused on the task, avoiding distractions and interruptions. – Being in control: The group should feel a sense of autonomy and agency over their actions and decisions, without being micromanaged or pressured by external factors. – Blending egos: Individuals strive to transcend their individual identities and roles, and foster a sense of unity and belonging with the group. – Equal participation: The group should ensure that everyone has an opportunity to contribute, and that no one dominates or withdraws from the task at hand.
While the group functions as one unit , it is still made up of individuals – people who need to feel appreciated and part of the team.
At a fundamental level, the success of the group depends upon each member unapologetically embracing who they are, being allowed and encouraged to stand proud and say at the top of their lungs,”This is me!” And then bringing that ‘me’ into the team.
Creativity and innovation are not just buzzwords, they are essential for success in today’s world. It’s important to constantly challenge yourself, grow your creativity and explore new possibilities.
Contact me today and let’s unleash your creative potential!
ZenStorming 