Emotionally Charged Innovation

The growing experience with InnovationScience has taught us that in emotionally charged situations, the nominal steps and tools are not effective. We developed an innovation strategy aimed to carry out innovation steps when emotions flare up.

The main difference between ECI and Nominal Innovation is the decline of common sense and every day logic. Whether it is unchecked enthusiasm, or alternatively panic and fear, emotionally charged innovation, ECI is not responsive to dry analysis. In that case the preferred option is to recognize that one is gripped in ECI, and take measures to calm down. Otherwise one needs to run on the gushing emotions and use emotional language to present the becoming moves.

Characteristic to ECI is the under-estimation of the innovative roadway. Matters that face a serious innovation challenge are deemed algorithmically clear. One launches projects that get stuck because it is not yet clear what to do next. The innovation scientist must guide the innovators to properly estimate the innovation challenge ahead.

Emotionally charged innovation creates irrational support to a given plan or irrational rejection of an articulated plan. To inject rationality one should challenge the "plan supporter": if this plan cannot be used, what is a different plan that is the closest to it? The "plan rejector" should be challenged: what is a different plan, closest to the rejected one, but that would be helpful for the cause. ECI practitioners will refuse to answer these challenges, but the innovation scientist should insist.

ECI is observed very often in non-technological innovation. Political situations in need of dire innovation are often prey to mishandled ECI.

The precepts and the procedural details of ECI are under development, but Gideon Samid, the developer is now conducting short training sessions (45 min) on line.