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revolutionary thinking is rare

Microsoft has asked “Where do you want to go today?” while delivering proprietary solutions that always seemed to take their customers to the same places. Were they asking or strongly suggesting where customers should want to go? In Microsoft’s case, not much has changed, although there are signs of an increase in transparency and improved customer involvement. Of course, it would not be fair to direct blame on any single company or person and that is certainly not the intention of this post; it’s just that revolutionary thinking is rare (not to mention risky and less profitable in the short term). Revolutionary thinking happens most often by empowered individuals out in the real-world trying to solve their unique problems. Researchers like Eric Von Hippel have dedicated their life’s work to understanding the subtleties of this process to help companies leverage their customers and “invoke” breakthroughs. Open source software is an excellent example of this process in action. These breakthrough solutions aim to solve very real and specific problems which benefit individuals not increase a company’s profits.

It may be obvious but if revolutionary thinking was commonplace, the world would be constantly “revolutionizing” for the better. Change is difficult to digest and even more difficult to put into action. Until the next revolution… practical, traditional and proven approaches will continue to get all the mainstream respect.

A note of encouragement to all revolutionary thinkers: don’t be so easily discouraged by the countless naysayers (as bright and accomplished as they may be) because they are all likely to fall into the “practical, traditional and proven” thinkers category. Take the advice and guidance for what it’s worth; no more, no less.