Change & Innovation

After GAIN change and innovation is very much on my mind. Change is a constant, we are not the same now and we were minutes or even seconds ago. On a macro level change and its partner innovation can be uncomfortable. It is very easy to say you must embrace change but then actually doing is another thing. I have found that change for the sake of change ultimately does nothing. I think if we change with a purpose, then change can be lasting and meaningful. Innovation and change are closely related. To innovate you have to learn to see the world with new eyes. You have think like a child, wipe all those preconceived notions, and have a clean slate so to speak. So many people that claim to be innovators are really imitators. Imitation is not innovation. To quote Kelvin Giles “coaches are change engineers.” We must find ways to problem solve and lead change or we will not produce results with our athletes.  To innovate you need to plant the seeds of innovation through deep practice and continual learning and upgrading your skills. Start with the basics, you can’t write the great American novel if you don’t know the alphabet. To paraphrase Gandhi be the change you want to be.