4 Common Sayings That Stifle Innovation and How to Replace Them for a More Creative Workplace
Our language is filled with classic sayings that most of us are probably unaware of their origin or what they were originally intended to mean. Some have been around for so long that they roll off our tongues like water off a duck’s back. There are some that, however classic, are truly the death of innovation.
If you want to create innovation environments where new ideas thrive, cut these four out of your vocabulary pronto:
- If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Seriously? Well my thigh master from high school still works just fine but that doesn’t mean technology like the Fitbit hasn’t completely changed the way people look at exercise. No offense Suzanne Somers. We need to constantly create space for people to think about current systems (that may work just fine) that can improve efficiency, productivity and the human experience related to it.
- Curiosity killed the cat. Since when do cats get killed by being curious? If you took a page out of my cat’s (Mr. Fluffer Nutter) book, you’d see that curiosity killed whatever my cat was curious about…typically a bug. Curiosity is one of the core qualities of the most innovative people of our time. If you were fine with the status quo, nothing would improve.
- If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say it at all. Fine, if you’re at someone’s wedding or some type of special occasion, don’t go around bashing it. But in the workplace, it’s all too often that people don’t speak up about what’s irking them. Offices should strive to create a culture where feedback is welcomed and received with open arms. How else can you flourish?
- Good things come to those who wait. Yes, patience is a virtue (one I struggle with) but with innovation it’s the opposite. Trial and error are the best ways to learn and adapt. With failure comes growth. So the new catch phrase is, “Good things come to those who hustle.” I totally agree.
Think about your language, even in sarcasm, and the underlying message that you’re telling your team. Some sayings may not be appropriate any longer. There’s no time like the present – so get to it. After all, the early bird always gets the worm. See what I did there?