“The crucial variable in the process of turning knowledge into value is creativity.”
– John Kao, author and advisor specializing in innovation
Even before I knew Kao spent the Summer of ’69 playing keyboards for Frank Zappa, I loved this quote.
Yale and Harvard educated, Kao calls out a concept based in common sense more than in Ivy League lecture halls. The gap between book knowledge and the stuff of difference making are frequent topics for the Daily Difference, but the process is what we’re calling out here.
When solving a problem, we ought to define the problem and describe the desired outcome. Once we’ve cleared those two gates, next is to define the risks we will encounter and the assets we can leverage – the variables, if you will.
Creativity — the willingness, courage and commitment to consider all the angles creates value — and makes a difference.
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