“Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things.” – Theodore Levitt.
While this sounds simple & straightforward, its essence runs deep.
Creativity: Act of creating new ideas, imaginations, and possibilities.
Innovation: Act of introducing something fresh and effective in the market.
Creativity ~ Inspiration, Cognitive, Potential, Unique & Individual
Innovation ~ Execution, Tangible, Practical, Repeatable & Scalable
Creativity = Canvas of Imagination
Innovation = Possibilities to Reality
Example:
Creativity:
Imagine you are developing a travel app. Creativity can be used to think beyond the typical itinerary planning and reservation features. You can explore integrating augmented reality for immersive travel experiences. That would give your product an edge over other products in the market.
Innovation:
Building on your travel app, innovation would involve developing a system that allows users to point their smartphones at landmarks and instantly receive historical & cultural information. Also, based on the real-time traffic, and crowd data, the system can recommend a guided itinerary for a hassle-free & unforgettable tourist experience.
Creativity & Innovation together are the two twin engines that drive every remarkable product and make the product stand out in the market.
Why Creativity and Innovation Are Both Crucial in Product Management
Imagine a world where we only have creativity but no innovation—the result would be just a canvas of potential that we don’t realize. In contrast, a world of innovation that lacks creativity becomes a directionless road without any inspiration to reach its destination.
To grow as product managers, we must embrace both, Creativity and Innovation:
- Unveiling Unique Solutions: Creativity leads to new ideas, and innovation turns those ideas into unique and unparalleled solutions, setting our products apart in a competitive market.
- Meeting changing needs: As our customers’ needs change, creativity helps us recognize those changing trends, while innovation allows us to better adapt and meet those needs.
- Exceeding Expectations: By combining creativity and innovation, we deliver products that exceed customer expectations, generating user loyalty and satisfaction.
- Embrace change: Creativity in a dynamic landscape allows us to adapt, allowing us to evolve and find new strategies as challenges arise, while innovation drives efficiency.
As product managers, we need to create an environment that nurtures both sides, encouraging our teams to explore, experiment, and iterate without fear.
It is acknowledging this connection that makes our products phenomenal.
Inculcating Creativity and Innovation Within Your Team
- Cultivate a Safe Space: Encourage open communication and welcome diverse viewpoints. Create an environment where team members feel safe to express themselves without fear of judgment.
- Fun & Learn: Encourage learning and curiosity. Organize workshops, brainstorming sessions, and skill-building exercises to foster creativity and foster innovation.
- Reward Experiments: Celebrate successes and failures from experiments. Recognize that failure is often a stepping stone to breakthroughs.
- Lead by Example: As a Product Manager, showcase your interest in creativity and innovation. Lead by example, take calculated risks, and demonstrate a willingness to push boundaries.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Encourage collaboration across teams and departments. Diverse ideas stimulate creativity and advance innovative solutions.
- Focus on the process first and then the outcome: Take small steps, focusing on the process of solving the problem rather than thinking directly about solutions.
Embrace the journey because there are no right or wrong ways to be creative and innovative. A single spark can trigger a tsunami of ideas. As a Product Manager, ensure to provide a safe space and watch the wonders happening in your products.