Innovation: The Power Of The Mind Dr Mary Mkandawire

Mary Poppins

Become like a child!

Point No. 1: Challenge Your ASSUMPTIONS… Assumption definition: Something you accept as true without question or proof Something you take for granted

What you believe probably isn’t TRUE…

What you believe is by CHANCE not by CHOICE…

The limitation was in their MINDS The Fish Experiment Although the fish were free PHYSICALLY… … they continued to behave as though the limitations still existed The limitation was in their MINDS

Taming An Elephant

Whatever you believe produces your results… Krebiozen cancer treatment Students and Trivaricaine Japanese Poison Ivy study Orthopaedic placebo arthroscopic surgery study

What you believe probably isn’t TRUE… But what you believe produces your results

The Telephone "This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us." Western Union internal memo, 1876 "The Americans have need of the telephone, but we do not. We have plenty of messenger boys." Sir William Preece, chief engineer British Post Office, 1876

The Radio "The wireless music box has no imaginable commercial value. Who would pay for a message sent to nobody in particular?" -- potential investors, 1920s. "Radio has no future.“ Lord Kelvin, British scientist, 1899. "While theoretically and technically television may be feasible, commercially and financially it is an impossibility." -- Lee DeForest, inventor.

The Computer "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." -- Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943. "But what...is it good for?" -- IBM engineer, 1968, commenting on the microchip. "There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." --  Ken Olson, president, chairman & founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977.

The Airplane “Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible.” Lord Kelvin, British mathematician, physicist, president of British Royal Society, 1895. "There will never be a bigger plane built." Boeing engineer after 1st flight of 247 twin engine plane for 10 people.

The Train “Rail travel at high speed is not possible because passengers, unable to breathe, would die of asphyxia.” – Dr Dionysys Larder (1793-1859)

What you believe is by CHANCE not by CHOICE…

1st Woman Doctor, College Of Medicine, 1992

1st Head girl, Kamuzu Academy, 1981 My ‘A’ Level subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Biology Number of girls: Chemistry – 3 Physics – 2 Biology – 1 KA Selection Criteria: 3 best students - 2 boys, 1 girl - selected on merit from each district 1983: 240 boys, 120 girls

CoM students 2010

What Assumptions Are Limiting You? Watch your self-talk! I’m too… I’m not… I don’t… I can’t… I must/I must not… Other people will…say, think, do That’s just the way it is…

“People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.” George Bernard Shaw

“Whether you think you can, or think you can’t – you’re right.” Henry Ford

Point No. 2: Cultivate Your ATTITUDE… Perspective definition: A particular attitude towards or way of regarding something; a point of view True understanding of the relative importance of things; a sense of proportion THE WAY YOU LOOK AT THINGS

½ full or ½ empty?

Video: Count the ball passes

Unlucky people are tense and anxious The Newspaper Test “Stop counting – There are 43 photographs in this newspaper.” “Stop counting, tell the experimenter you have seen this and win $250.” Unlucky people are tense and anxious Anxiety disrupts ability to notice the unexpected.

Fight or Flight?

Lucky people are relaxed and open They see what is there, not just what they are looking for

Turn Bad Luck into Good Luck

“They are taking our jobs…”

“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” Wayne Dyer

Point No. 3: Connect Your ATTRIBUTES… Attribute definition: A quality or feature regarded as a characteristic or an inherent part of someone or something.

Jan Demczur

Authentic Competitive Edge… …UNIQUE COMBINATION of qualities that INSPIRES LEADERS to: Lead with DISTINCTION Perform in POWERFUL SYNERGY with others Create a POSITIVE IMPACT Build a LASTING LEGACY Lead a LIFE OF PURPOSE that is deeply meaningful and satisfying

INSTINCTIVE solutions… “I was asking for a knife, but nobody had anything. Then I looked into my bucket and I said, 'Well, let me use my squeegee'. How I have this idea… Just instinct, do something, try to do something.” Jan Demzcur

2D-Diversity drives Innovation An inherently diverse workforce that “matches the market” can be a potent source of innovation, as diverse individuals are better attuned to the unmet needs of consumers or clients like themselves. Center for Talent Innovation, 2013

2 Dimensional (2D) Diversity Inherent diversity Traits you were born with and have been consequently conditioned by. – “embodied” human factors e.g. gender, race, ethnicity, age, religion, socioeconomic background, disability, nationality. Acquired diversity Traits gained by experience and learning. – appropriated skills e.g. cultural fluency, generational savvy, gender smarts, social media skills, technological literacy, cross- functional knowledge, global mind-set, military experience, language skills.

Your Authentic Competitive Edge™ (ACE) Your origins, background and life experience Formative Foundations Your unique personality attributes Defining Distinctions Your holistic approach to life and success Living Legacy

“Every person possesses intuition… people are intuitive in the area of their strength.” Dr John Maxwell, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

1: Challenge Your ASSUMPTIONS… 2: Cultivate Your ATTITUDE… 3: Connect Your ATTRIBUTES…

www.drmarylivingonpurpose.com

www.drmarylivingonpurpose.com