Exploring

"Let's explore in new directions and see where we end up."

Some people like to explore uncharted territory. They thrive on the unknown and unpredictable. Often they come up with new ideas from out of nowhere. They tend to add a sense of adventure to any project and open up the potential for dramatic breakthroughs. They emphasize Exploring.

People who favor the Exploring Style like using their insights to guide them. They tend to question assumptions and often will try to implement their ideas despite resistance from others. They are adventurous, dislike routine, and like to be challenged.

How Does This Style Support Innovation?

• By challenging accepted ways of seeing things and seeking out novel approaches to problems;
• By dealing with turbulent change through their own intestinal fortitude;
• By being risk-takers, often leaping before they look.

How Can This Style Hinder Innovation if It Is Overemphasized?

• By being too preoccupied with "blue sky" possibilities and not being concerned with details;
• By making seeming about faces in opinions;
• By discounting work that has already been done.

What Important Questions About a Problem Are Raised by This Style?

• What if?
• Have you considered starting from scratch?
• What assumptions are we taking for granted?

What Can Drive This Style Crazy?

• Rejecting ideas because they don't relate to current reality;
• Rules and structure;
• Having to finish what they start.

This Style's Favorite Idea Killer

• "That idea is too conventional, not 'out of the box' enough."

Previous Page: The “Visioning Style”
Next Page: The “Experimenting Style”

Innovation Styles® is a registered trademark of the Global Creativity Corporation

What Are Innovation Styles?

Myth: To come up with breakthrough ideas, you should try to be "original".

Truth: Trying to be "original" is another way of censoring our ideas. Breakthrough ideas come when we just let all the ideas flow.