Productivity Tip: Innovate through Imagination
Great leaders are great communicators — not because they talk more, but because they listen deeply, speak clearly, and align words with action.
Innovation isn’t reserved for inventors or tech geniuses — it’s a mindset. As The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders teaches, imagination thrives in a mindset of curiosity and courage. A mindset that sees problems as opportunities to innovate, instead of barriers. Being an innovator is a mindset that sees the world differently and asks “what if,” and then acts on inspired ideas.
Research by McKinsey shows that organizations that prioritize the innovation mindset outperform peers by up to 30% in long-term growth and profitability — proving that imagination isn’t fluff; it’s fuel.
Case Study: Sara Blakely and Spanx
When Sara Blakely founded Spanx, she wasn’t an engineer or designer — she was a salesperson with a wild idea.
Frustrated by the lack of flattering undergarments, she cut the feet off a pair of pantyhose to create a smoother fit. When manufacturers dismissed her idea, she kept imagining what could be. She sketched designs, filed her own patent, and personally pitched Neiman Marcus.
Blakely’s imagination transformed not only an industry but also her life — turning $5,000 in savings into a billion-dollar company.
Her secret? She embraced what she called “naïve confidence” — the courage to believe an unproven idea could work.
Innovation often starts that way: not with expertise, but imagination, persistence, and the willingness to see differently.
So, Now What? The "How To"
Here’s how you can practice “innovate through imagination” this week:
- Ask “What if?” daily. Start every team huddle or meeting with a creative question that challenges assumptions.
- Schedule thinking time. Block 30 minutes weekly for creative reflection — no email, no agenda, just thinking.
- Write down your ideas! All great thought leaders kept a thoughts book. Ideas not written are ideas lost to the wind. Use the back of your planner, a notebook, or an app, but make sure you have a place to capture ideas!
- One idea for each day. In your “thoughts book” try writing down one idea at the end of each work day. This simple practice will keep the candle of your creativity lit!
- Encourage bold ideas. Reward imagination, not just outcomes. Make it safe for people to share untested ideas.
Remember — imagination is a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it becomes. And when combined with disciplined action, it becomes innovation that transforms teams, organizations, and lives. So, exercise your imagination muscle using these five skills. That’s becoming your best!
“Whatever you can think, you can create.”
-Sara Blakely
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