It was a quiet moment in a Nokia conference room that would eventually cost $100 billion. An engineer stood nervously, holding a prototype of a full touchscreen phone. The response from management? “Interesting, but that's not how phones work.” This dismissal highlighted the absence of the groupthink factor—a unified vision that could have driven innovation. One year later, Apple launched the iPhone, and Nokia‘s dominance began to crumble.

Around the same time, in a Blockbuster boardroom, executives were dismissing Netflix as a “very small niche business,” turning down a $50 million acquisition offer. Today, Netflix is worth over $100 billion, while Blockbuster is a cautionary tale.

And let's not forget Kodak, who actually invented the first digital camera but convinced themselves it would never replace film – right up until they filed for bankruptcy after a century of market dominance.

Three industry titans. Three catastrophic falls. Most people think these were just bad decisions – moments where smart leaders somehow got it wrong. But what if there was something deeper at work? What if these weren't just isolated mistakes, but symptoms of a hidden pattern that's probably affecting your organization right now?

Here's the scary part: the faster your market is moving, the more susceptible you become to this pattern. Even more troubling? The organizations that succumb to it never see it coming. In fact, they're usually convinced they're making the right decisions right up until reality proves them catastrophically wrong.

In this episode, we'll reveal the subtle force that brought down these giants and may be killing innovation in your organization right now. More importantly, we'll show you how to spot it before it's too late.

Join us to discover what these fallen giants missed – and how you can avoid being next.

To learn about the groupthink factor, listen to this week's show: What Nokia, Kodak, and Blockbuster All Missed: The Groupthink Factor.

What if the biggest predictor of success in innovation wasn't what everyone thinks? Our research tracking 1,000+ innovation professionals revealed a shocking truth about who succeeds in this high-paying field – and it's not what you'd expect.

In this episode, we break down 15 innovation careers that are transforming industries, with salaries ranging from $70k to $400k+. But here's what makes this guide different: we're not just giving you job titles and salaries. We reveal the actual personalities that thrive in each role, alternative paths to break in without traditional credentials, and the unexpected traits that separate success from failure.

From Research & Development to Innovation Management, Product Development, Digital Innovation, and the startup ecosystem, we explore how these roles are shaping the future – and why companies are desperate to fill them.

Key takeaways:

Most importantly, you'll learn why your past “failures” might be the exact preparation you need for a successful innovation career. Whether you're a career changer, recent graduate, or experienced professional looking to pivot, this guide shows you the practical steps to break into the innovation economy.

Bonus: Members get access to our comprehensive career guide, including detailed personality profiles, qualification roadmaps, and monthly salary updates. Plus, connect with innovation professionals in our private community.

Download INNOVATION CAREER GUIDE

The download is for members of the Innovators Community. Become a member on at Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/philmckinney

To learn about the innovation jobs that don't require a college degree, listen to this week's show: 15 Innovation Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree.

Why do some innovators bounce back stronger from every setback? 

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating story of a product demo that literally burst into flames in front of a potential investor – and how that spectacular failure led to three groundbreaking patents.

The key? Something called the experimenter mindset. It's a powerful approach used by leading innovators that completely transforms how we view outcomes. Instead of seeing things as successes or failures, experimenters view every result as valuable data pointing toward their next breakthrough.

This episode breaks down the five core characteristics that make up the experimenter's DNA and shows exactly how to develop each one. You'll see how real teams use simple tools like the three-column technique to extract powerful insights from every outcome, and how keeping a “friction log” can turn your most contentious meetings into breakthrough sessions.

Some key takeaways from the episode:

The most valuable insight might be the distinction between experimental results and personal worth. As one engineer in our story discovered, separating these two can be the difference between quitting and breakthrough innovation.

Whether you're leading a team, building a product, or working on personal projects, this episode offers practical tools for transforming setbacks into stepping stones toward your next innovation.

Want to start applying these concepts right away? Grab a piece of paper and try the three-column technique we demonstrate in the episode. It's surprisingly simple but remarkably powerful at extracting valuable insights from any situation.

Check out the full episode to get the complete framework and see real examples of how teams are using these tools to drive innovation.

#Innovation #ExperimenterMindset #Leadership #ProductDevelopment #CreativeProblemSolving

To learn about the experimenter mindset, listen to this week's show: The Experimenter Mindset: How to Learn From Every Failure.

In poker, strategies divide professionals and amateurs. A professional poker player participates in only 15% of hands, while amateurs engage far more recklessly. This principle applies to innovation as well. To stand out as a professional innovator, you must move beyond enthusiasm and adopt a disciplined, strategic approach to managing ideas and resources.

Professional innovators understand that success lies not in chasing every idea but in executing the right ones effectively. Here’s what sets them apart:

Many innovators start as amateurs, brimming with ideas but lacking direction. Here are actionable steps to leap:

A professional innovator sets clear, actionable goals and develops a roadmap with measurable milestones. This clarity prevents distractions and ensures focused efforts.

Not all tasks are created equal. Understand the distinction between urgent and important tasks, and direct your energy toward activities that drive long-term impact.

Failure isn’t a setback—it’s a learning opportunity. Analyze what went wrong in past projects to refine your approach and build resilience for future endeavors.

Before pursuing a new project, assess its potential impact and alignment with your overall strategy. Ask questions like:

By filtering out less promising ideas early, you conserve resources for high-potential opportunities.

Adopting the mindset of a professional innovator means balancing passion with practicality. Enthusiasm plays a crucial role, but strategic foresight must anchor it. Professionals view innovation as a discipline that requires thoughtful planning, adaptability, and consistent follow-through.

In conclusion, the journey from amateur to professional innovator is about more than experience. It’s a commitment to strategic thinking, effective resource allocation, and embracing challenges. The world of innovation is vast and full of opportunities. Equip yourself with the right tools and mindset, and you’ll achieve success and inspire others to elevate their approaches.

Whether you’re just starting or refining your approach, remember being a professional innovator is within reach. Take deliberate steps, and watch your impact grow.

To learn about being a professional innovator, listen to this week's show: How to Be a Professional Innovator.

Want to know why some people get excited about uncertainty while others run from it? It's all about having an explorer mindset. Think of it as having the ability to see opportunities where others only see obstacles.

In this episode, I share how history's greatest innovators transformed uncertainty into their superpower – from ancient mariners charting unknown waters to modern entrepreneurs reshaping entire industries. The best part? You can tap into these same patterns of thinking.

I break down three key traits of the explorer mindset that set breakthrough thinkers apart:

But I don't just talk theory. You'll get real, practical ways to build these skills week by week. My favorite is the Daily Unknown Challenge – a simple but powerful way to stretch your comfort zone bit by bit.

Of course, it's not all smooth sailing. We also look at the tricky parts nobody talks about, like:

Here's what makes this topic so exciting: anyone can develop an explorer mindset. You don't need special talents or an adventurous personality – just the right approach and consistent practice.

Want to know the strategies that real innovators use to create breakthrough success? Tune in to hear the full story. I share specific practices you can start using today to build your own explorer mindset.

Whether you're leading a team, running a business, or just want to think differently, this episode will change how you see uncertainty. You might find it hard to go back to “business as usual” once you see the world through an explorer's eyes.

Ready to transform challenges into opportunities? 

Watch the full video or listen to the podcast for all the details. And hey, drop a comment – I'd love to hear what makes you nervous about stepping into the unknown.

Want to go deeper? 

Join our community of innovators and explorers by supporting us on Patreon. You'll get exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and direct access to the live stream from my personal innovation studio, where we can explore ideas together. You will also get access to The Innovators Community over on Discord!

RESOURCE: Download the Guide to the Explorer Mindset mentioned in the video: https://www.patreon.com/philmckinney

To learn about building an explorer mindset, listen to this week's show: How To Build An Explorer Mindset.

Your brain often lies to you about what’s possible. Success isn’t just about skills, connections, or even luck. The real differentiator is your mindset—the internal operating system that drives how you interpret challenges and opportunities. Developing a success mindset isn’t about forced positivity or empty mantras; it’s about reshaping the way your brain processes the world, making success a possibility and a consistent outcome.

Consider two people with identical skills. Why does one excel while the other stagnates? The answer lies in mindset. Your success mindset determines how you approach uncertainty, learn from failures, and seize opportunities. Neuroscience confirms that beliefs shape neural pathways, influencing everything from creativity to resilience.

Think of your brain as a computer. Your thinking skills—problem-solving, decision-making, planning—are like software programs. However, even the best programs falter on an outdated operating system. A success mindset is the foundational architecture that enables your thinking skills to thrive. Here’s how they differ:

A robust mindset ensures your brain operates entirely, turning challenges into opportunities.

Exceptional achievers often share four key mental frameworks. Adopting these can help you navigate challenges and unlock potential:

As empowering mindsets propel us forward, specific patterns can silently sabotage our progress. Beware of these destructive tendencies:

The good news? My mindset remains flexible. You can rewire your brain and build a success mindset with deliberate effort:

Minor mindset adjustments can yield massive long-term results. Like an airplane that changes its trajectory by just one degree, even slight changes in how you interpret challenges or respond to failures can lead to entirely new destinations in life.

Take a moment to reflect: where do you feel stuck? What belief might be holding you back? Remember, your mindset stays flexible—it functions as software you can update. Choose your mental operating system wisely because your success mindset is the key to unlocking your true potential.

To learn about building a success mindset, listen to this week's show: How to Build a Success Mindset.

When people ask how to land their first job in innovation, my story always surprises them. It wasn’t about finding the perfect job posting or waiting for an opportunity to knock. Instead, I created my opportunity. In 1992, I worked for a small company in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, when Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) acquired it. The transition opened a unique door for me to carve out a role that set the foundation for my career in innovation.

I was the Director of Data Center Operations at the time. While I found the role fulfilling, I discovered my true passion for exploring creative and strategic ways to drive organizational success—an area CSC had not formally defined. I decided to take matters into my own hands. Instead of waiting for a new role to materialize, I wrote my job description.

Convincing leadership to create a new role wasn’t just about presenting facts. It was about selling a vision. I focused on:

This approach helped me gain buy-in and set the tone for a career built on creative problem-solving and innovation.

Here’s what my experience taught me:

Your first job in innovation is more than a career milestone; it’s a chance to set the stage for future opportunities. For me, stepping into this role unlocked doors I never knew existed and paved the way for decades of exciting challenges and successes. If you’re passionate about innovation, don’t be afraid to take risks, tell your story, and create the path that aligns with your vision.

Innovation doesn’t wait—why should you?

To learn about my first job in innovation, listen to this week's show: How I Got My First Job in Innovation.

When I walked into Elon Musk's office at Tesla in 2011, I knew I was about to see something remarkable, but I couldn't have predicted how mind-opening the experience would be. Elon Musk, known for revolutionizing industries through SpaceX and Tesla, has a way of questioning the world that feels almost childlike—but not in the way you might think. He roots his approach to problem-solving not an extensive knowledge of past achievements but by tackling challenges like a 5-year-old, unafraid to ask ‘why' until he reaches the core of an issue. Here's what I learned about innovation from my meeting with Elon Musk.

What sets Elon Musk apart is his commitment to First Principles Thinking—a method that deconstructs problems to their fundamental truths. Instead of relying on established ideas, Musk strips away assumptions and starts from scratch. His belief is simple: assumptions can limit innovation, while first principles allow endless possibilities. He often explains it like this: “The normal way we conduct our lives is reasoning by analogy… But with first principles, you boil down to the most fundamental truths and then reason up from there.”

We can boil down Musk's approach into three actionable steps anyone can use.

During our conversation about HP's military-grade rugged displays, I watched Musk break down assumptions about car interfaces. What began as a discussion about technology quickly turned into a reimagining of how drivers interact with their vehicles. For example, Musk questioned why dashboards needed physical buttons and considered the actual purpose of car displays—this ability to strip down assumptions allowed Musk to redefine what was possible for Tesla's interface design.

Musk's thought process is more than just a strategy—it's a mindset. Think about how a 5-year-old constantly asks “why” to understand the world. Musk approaches challenges with a similar curiosity, seeing barriers as merely starting points for innovation. This is a reminder that breakthrough thinking doesn't require years of experience or knowledge; it requires curiosity and the courage to question what others accept as true.

One takeaway from my time with Elon Musk was his ability to anticipate pushback. “Government officials will push back,” he told me, predicting resistance to his vision of touch-screen interfaces in cars. Thirteen years later, regulatory bodies are challenging touch interfaces, advocating for more physical buttons for safety. Musk's foresight shows that innovators often face institutional resistance when pushing boundaries.

Applying first principles thinking is more straightforward than it sounds; you don't need to be a tech billionaire. Here are a few steps:

What I learned that day in Musk's office wasn't just a new strategy—it was a reminder that the most significant innovations often come from childlike curiosity. By questioning everything, we open ourselves to a world of possibilities beyond what we currently accept as possible. So, the next time you face a seemingly insurmountable problem, channel your inner 5-year-old and ask, “What if we're thinking about this all wrong?”

To learn more about Elon Musk, listen to this week's show: My Meeting With Elon Musk: Innovate Like A 5-Year-Old.

Albert Einstein once famously said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” This quote isn't just a glimpse into his genius and a revelation of the secret behind his groundbreaking discoveries. While his contemporaries were focused on scientific data and equations, Einstein's innovation secret lay in his ability to visualize complex concepts like riding alongside a beam of light or imagining the fabric of space-time warping. He proved that imagination could lead to some of the most revolutionary scientific achievements of the 20th century.

The concept of imagination as the driving force behind innovation isn't just for artists or creative thinkers. It's at the core of every scientific, technological, and social advancement. From the smartphone you're using to the design of the chair you're sitting on, everything begins as a mental image. This innovation secret is critical in today's rapidly changing world, where the ability to foresee opportunities and solve complex problems is invaluable.

But many don't understand that imagination isn't just an innate talent; it can be trained and developed. Einstein's approach to innovation wasn't some mystical gift but a skill he sharpened deliberately. He used specific mental exercises to enhance his imagination, and these techniques can be applied by anyone who wants to cultivate breakthrough thinking.

To truly harness the power of imagination, it's essential to understand its three distinct types. These aren't merely artistic daydreams but purposeful approaches that, when combined, create what Einstein called “combinatory play.” This synergy allows innovators to connect seemingly unrelated ideas to discover new solutions.

Einstein believed that imagination was like a muscle that could be strengthened. His innovation secret was his methodical approach to mental training, using exercises that sharpened his imaginative abilities. Here are a few techniques that can help you unlock your creative potential:

At its core, Einstein's innovation secret isn't about possessing superhuman intelligence but mastering the art of imagination. By training his mind systematically, he could consistently see beyond the obvious, creating the foundation for discoveries that changed the world. You, too, can tap into this innovation secret by exercising your imagination deliberately and systematically. The future of innovation doesn't depend solely on knowledge—it thrives on the ability to imagine what could be.

So, what's your next breakthrough? The answer is already in your mind.

To learn more about Einstein's innovation secret, listen to this week's show: Einstein's Innovation Secret Exposed.

In the world of technology and innovation, building a model career often means evolving with industry changes, embracing risks, and showing resilience. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Nimrod Ben-Natan, CEO of Harmonic, whose career path is a true model for success in innovation. Starting as a software developer in the mid-90s, Nimrod has led Harmonic through groundbreaking advancements in network virtualization and broadband. Here, he shares his journey and advice for aspiring innovators looking to build their own model careers in tech.

Ben-Natan’s career at Harmonic began in 1996 as a software developer, working on solutions for fiber optics and digital video. He transitioned from technical roles into customer-facing and leadership positions, illustrating how a model career involves versatility and a willingness to pivot. Through multiple cycles of industry change, he worked on projects from digital ad insertion to video-on-demand, each requiring a deep understanding of technology and customer needs. This adaptability helped him to rise to his current position, leading the company as it navigates a continually evolving industry.

A key turning point for Ben-Natan was Harmonic’s decision to enter the broadband access market with a new hardware approach. However, the project faced significant setbacks, even failing to meet industry standards initially. Instead of abandoning the effort, Ben-Natan and his team pivoted toward a network function virtualization approach, eventually achieving market leadership in this area. This experience highlights a vital component of a model career in innovation: seeing failure as an opportunity to pivot and improve.

“Failure isn't a negative—it's education,” I emphasized, aligning with Ben-Natan’s view that resilience and learning from setbacks are essential for long-term success.

Looking ahead, Ben-Natan shared insights on how emerging tech professionals can build a model career in today’s rapidly shifting environment. His advice includes:

Ben-Natan also stressed the importance of balancing technical knowledge with an understanding of customer needs, which he believes has been crucial in his model career. By combining technical and customer-facing roles, he gained a 360-degree view of the industry, ultimately guiding him through various high-stakes decisions.

Not every company can maintain a long-term vision, especially regarding risky ventures. Harmonic’s success with network function virtualization took nearly a decade to realize. Yet, the management team’s commitment to a long-term strategy allowed them to weather the uncertainties and ultimately bring innovative products to market. I pointed out that few companies have the patience for a 10-year development process. According to Ben-Natan, Harmonic’s resilience was rooted in a firm conviction that this investment would provide lasting value, positioning the company for industry leadership.

If you’re looking to build a model career in innovation, take these lessons from Ben-Natan’s journey:

In today’s tech-driven world, a model career isn’t just about reaching the top—it’s about staying relevant, being open to change, and finding new ways to contribute.

To learn more about building a model career in innovation, listen to this week's show: A Model Career in Innovation.