Inches

 Reading Royston Guests book Rise as part of my course Growth Pathways with Jersey Business

The great thing about  Royston's book is that it makes you think (but not always agree). This is a good thing. Thinking is useful, [thinking | feeling | being] the same as everyone else may not be.

I was struck by the high jump metaphor: Instead of 6 foot aim for 600 meter and be ambitious. Aim for the stars and you may reach the moon.

I was thinking that most innovation, ingenuity, and creativity is not from abundance but from limits. Anyone can overcome a 600 meter wall with a rocket, plane, helicopter, lift but most genius is about 'inches" all the little inches that add-up, the minimal-viable-product, the more-with-less, the what artistry can we do with only a pen, or only a chisel. I know from my sporting days that world-records are not won by a huge margin but by the culmination of little things that make a difference. I have 4 x GB Gold Medals and they were not won by being a long way in front of the competition, but by tiny factors most right at the edge of complete failure.

Here are some notable examples where constraints played a crucial role in fostering innovation and change:

Space Exploration (NASA): The challenges of space travel have always imposed severe constraints, including weight, size, and energy efficiency. These limitations have led to numerous innovations. For instance, the development of compact, highly efficient computer systems for space missions has had a significant impact on the miniaturization and efficiency of consumer electronics on Earth.

The Apollo 13 Mission: This is a classic example of innovation under extreme constraints. When an oxygen tank exploded on the Apollo 13 spacecraft, the crew and ground team had to innovate rapidly with very limited resources to bring the astronauts safely back to Earth. This incident is a prime example of problem-solving and innovation under life-threatening constraints.

Mobile Technology: The need to fit more functionality into smaller, more energy-efficient mobile devices has driven immense innovation in this sector. The constraints of size, battery life, and heat dissipation have led to the development of incredibly powerful yet compact processors and other components.

Formula 1 Racing: In this sport, strict regulations on car design, engine power, and other factors force teams to innovate within very tight margins. The aerodynamic designs, materials science advancements, and energy recovery systems developed in Formula 1 often find applications in broader automotive and engineering fields.

Green Building and Sustainable Design: Environmental and sustainability constraints have led to innovative approaches in architecture and construction. The need to reduce carbon footprints and energy usage has fostered the development of new materials, energy-efficient building techniques, and sustainable urban planning concepts.

The Arts (e.g., Haiku, Sonnets): In the arts, self-imposed constraints like the strict structural rules of sonnets or haikus often stimulate creativity. These forms require the artist to express ideas powerfully but concisely, leading to innovative use of language and imagery.

Low-Budget Filmmaking: Independent filmmakers often work with tight budgets, which can lead to creative storytelling and filming techniques. The constraints of low-budget filmmaking have given rise to entire genres and styles, such as guerrilla filmmaking, that emphasize story and ingenuity over expensive special effects.

Startup Companies: Startups often operate under constraints of capital and resources, pushing them to innovate quickly and efficiently. Many successful tech companies began as small startups with limited resources, leading them to develop disruptive technologies and business models.

These examples demonstrate how constraints can be a powerful catalyst for creativity, driving individuals and organizations to find novel solutions to challenging problems.

Despite drawing a different conclusion, I still think Royston Guests book Rise is great (it made me think!)

Rise: Start living the life you were meant to live by Royston Guest
https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Start-Living-Life-Meant/dp/1473695384

Al Pacino best speech - Any Given Sunday - 1080p HD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1yWSePMqsk

My current thinking: 1 day per week project management, what could you do?  Eliminate waste. Only do what the customer values. No bureaucracy only necessary governance. Focus on delivering and accountability. I will expand upon this in a separate post to follow.

Tim HJ Rogers
I help people, teams and organisations set and achieve goals.
Supporting the critical thinking and creating the resources and environment for success.

ICF Trained Coach | MBA Management Consultant | Prince2 Project Manager, Agile Scrum Master | AMPG Change Practitioner | Mediation Practitioner | BeTheBusiness Mentor | 4 x GB Gold Medalist

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