In his recent appearance on the All Innovation podcast, our own Jim Cota challenges the romantic notion of the solitary genius whose brilliant ideas emerge fully formed—and makes a compelling case for the kind of collaborative innovation that makes some entrepreneurs and creators uncomfortable.
“I think almost anything we do—even if it’s a spark of an idea that you came up with in the middle of the night—can be improved by bringing other people in and getting other points of view,” Jim explains.
This philosophy sits at the heart of Rare Bird’s approach, where we repeatedly witness how initial concepts, even brilliant ones, get transformed when diverse perspectives are added into the mix. The real challenge, as Jim notes, lies in having the humility to admit your idea “isn’t as pretty as it could be” and genuinely believing other people can help refine it into something truly exceptional.
Truly exceptional adaptation and innovation only happens when leaders value improvement over ego, treating their best ideas as clay to be shaped rather than precious jewels to be protected. Besides, diamonds are tough—they can take it. In fact, they need such refinement to reach their full potential.
Simply put, some business leaders struggle with a collaborative approach. “A lot of people don’t have that gene,” Jim adds. This resistance to outside input often limits potential and can ultimately stall progress, regardless of how brilliant the initial concept might be.
Consider how your organization approaches new ideas:
- Do you treat initial concepts as sacred or as starting points?
- Is there a genuine openness to collaborative input that might significantly reshape the original vision?
- Can your team recognize when you need a slight improvement versus a tremendous pivot?
- Have you created an environment where people feel safe offering perspective that might dramatically alter course?
Engage the Full Conversation
Jim’s appearance on the All Innovation Podcast offers even more insights than we can capture here. Watch the full episode to hear his complete thoughts on innovation, leadership, and building a truly collaborative culture.
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