Killer Innovations with Phil McKinney - A Show About Ideas Creativity And Innovation

Phil McKinney
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Killer Innovations with Phil McKinney - A Show About Ideas Creativity And Innovation

Step into the world of relentless creativity with the Killer Innovations Podcast, hosted by Phil McKinney. Since 2005, it has carved its niche in history as the longest-running podcast. Join the community of innovators, designers, creatives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries who are constantly pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. Discover the power of thinking differently and taking risks to achieve success. The podcast covers a wide range of topics, including innovation, technology, business, leadership, creativity, design, and more. Every episode is not just talk; it's about taking action and implementing strategies to help you become a successful innovator. Each episode provides practical tips, real-life examples, and thought-provoking insights to challenge your thinking and inspire you to unleash your creativity. The podcast archive: KillerInnovations.com About Phil McKinney: Phil McKinney, CTO of HP (ret) and CEO of CableLabs, has been credited with forming and leading multiple teams that FastCompany and BusinessWeek list as one of the “50 Most Innovative”. His recognition includes Vanity Fair naming him “The Innovation Guru,” MSNBC and Fox Business calling him "The Gadget Guy," and the San Jose Mercury News dubbing him the "chief seer."

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    How I Got My First Job in Innovation

    When people ask how to land their first job in innovation, my story always surprises them. It wasn’t about finding the perfect job posting or waiting for an opportunity to knock. Instead, I created my opportunity. In 1992, I worked for a small company in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, when Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) acquired it. The transition opened a unique door for me to carve out a role that set the foundation for my career in innovation. Creating My Opportunity I was the Director of Data Center Operations at the time. While I found the role fulfilling, I discovered my true passion for exploring creative and strategic ways to drive organizational success—an area CSC had not formally defined. I decided to take matters into my own hands. Instead of waiting for a new role to materialize, I wrote my job description. Key Steps I Took: * Identify the Role You Want Before jumping into action, I envisioned a role that aligned with my passion and would bring value to the company. For me, that position focused on driving innovation within the organization. * Write Your Job Description I crafted a detailed proposal outlining what the job would entail and why it was critical for the organization. Importantly, I avoided negativity or scare tactics, like claiming the company would fail without it. Instead, I focused on strategic storytelling—painting a picture of the brighter future this role could help create. * Pitch the Idea Armed with my proposal, I approached the VP of the division. To my surprise, they were intrigued and open to the idea. After refining the proposal through several conversations, they officially created the position. Within 60 days, I transitioned into my first job in innovation. The Power of Strategic Storytelling Convincing leadership to create a new role wasn’t just about presenting facts. It was about selling a vision. I focused on: * Showing how this role could benefit the organization in the long term. * Demonstrating my unique qualifications and passion for the position. * Framing the proposal in a way that aligned with the company’s strategic goals. This approach helped me gain buy-in and set the tone for a career built on creative problem-solving and innovation. Lessons for Aspiring Innovators Here’s what my experience taught me: * Don’t Wait for the Perfect Opportunity Sometimes, the best opportunities are the ones you create. Take the initiative if you see a gap or a chance to add value. * Be Bold but Positive Pitching a new idea can feel risky, but remaining confident and constructive is crucial. Leaders want solutions, not complaints. * Prove Your Value Once you secure the role, it’s on you to deliver. Hard work and results will validate the trust your leaders placed in you. Why Your First Job in Innovation Matters Your first job in innovation is more than a career milestone; it’s a chance to set the stage for future opportunities. For me, stepping into this role unlocked doors I never knew existed and paved the way for decades of exciting challenges and successes. If you’re passionate about innovation, don’t be afraid to take risks, tell your story, and create the path that aligns with your vision. Innovation doesn’t wait—why should you? To learn about my first job in innovation, listen to this week's show: a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/philmckinney/How_I_Got_My_First_Job_in_Innovation.

    7 min

  2. NOV 12

    My Meeting With Elon Musk: Innovate Like A 5-Year-Old

    When I walked into Elon Musk's office at Tesla in 2011, I knew I was about to see something remarkable, but I couldn't have predicted how mind-opening the experience would be. Elon Musk, known for revolutionizing industries through SpaceX and Tesla, has a way of questioning the world that feels almost childlike—but not in the way you might think. He roots his approach to problem-solving not an extensive knowledge of past achievements but by tackling challenges like a 5-year-old, unafraid to ask ‘why' until he reaches the core of an issue. Here's what I learned about innovation from my meeting with Elon Musk. The Power of First Principles Thinking What sets Elon Musk apart is his commitment to First Principles Thinking—a method that deconstructs problems to their fundamental truths. Instead of relying on established ideas, Musk strips away assumptions and starts from scratch. His belief is simple: assumptions can limit innovation, while first principles allow endless possibilities. He often explains it like this: “The normal way we conduct our lives is reasoning by analogy… But with first principles, you boil down to the most fundamental truths and then reason up from there.” 3 Steps to First Principles Thinking We can boil down Musk's approach into three actionable steps anyone can use. * Identify Your Assumptions: Challenge every “truth” and tradition associated with a problem. If you notice something is “always done this way,” ask yourself, “Why?” * Break Down to Fundamental Truths: Identify core, provable facts that can't be further simplified. * Build Up from Basics: Reimagine a solution based solely on these fundamental truths, ignoring all previous conventions. My Experience: How Elon Musk Sees Beyond Assumptions During our conversation about HP's military-grade rugged displays, I watched Musk break down assumptions about car interfaces. What began as a discussion about technology quickly turned into a reimagining of how drivers interact with their vehicles. For example, Musk questioned why dashboards needed physical buttons and considered the actual purpose of car displays—this ability to strip down assumptions allowed Musk to redefine what was possible for Tesla's interface design. Rethinking Innovation Like a 5-Year-Old Musk's thought process is more than just a strategy—it's a mindset. Think about how a 5-year-old constantly asks “why” to understand the world. Musk approaches challenges with a similar curiosity, seeing barriers as merely starting points for innovation. This is a reminder that breakthrough thinking doesn't require years of experience or knowledge; it requires curiosity and the courage to question what others accept as true. Facing Resistance One takeaway from my time with Elon Musk was his ability to anticipate pushback. “Government officials will push back,” he told me, predicting resistance to his vision of touch-screen interfaces in cars. Thirteen years later, regulatory bodies are challenging touch interfaces, advocating for more physical buttons for safety. Musk's foresight shows that innovators often face institutional resistance when pushing boundaries. How You Can Innovate Like Elon Musk Applying first principles thinking is more straightforward than it sounds; you don't need to be a tech billionaire. Here are a few steps: * Start Small: Apply first principles to daily routines or small business processes. * Challenge Assumptions: Identify one routine task, repeatedly ask ” why, ” and strip it down to its core need. * Build from Basics: Create a new,

    19 min

  3. NOV 5

    Einstein’s Innovation Secret Exposed

    Albert Einstein once famously said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” This quote isn't just a glimpse into his genius and a revelation of the secret behind his groundbreaking discoveries. While his contemporaries were focused on scientific data and equations, Einstein's innovation secret lay in his ability to visualize complex concepts like riding alongside a beam of light or imagining the fabric of space-time warping. He proved that imagination could lead to some of the most revolutionary scientific achievements of the 20th century. Why Imagination is the Key to Innovation The concept of imagination as the driving force behind innovation isn't just for artists or creative thinkers. It's at the core of every scientific, technological, and social advancement. From the smartphone you're using to the design of the chair you're sitting on, everything begins as a mental image. This innovation secret is critical in today's rapidly changing world, where the ability to foresee opportunities and solve complex problems is invaluable. But many don't understand that imagination isn't just an innate talent; it can be trained and developed. Einstein's approach to innovation wasn't some mystical gift but a skill he sharpened deliberately. He used specific mental exercises to enhance his imagination, and these techniques can be applied by anyone who wants to cultivate breakthrough thinking. The Three Types of Imagination To truly harness the power of imagination, it's essential to understand its three distinct types. These aren't merely artistic daydreams but purposeful approaches that, when combined, create what Einstein called “combinatory play.” This synergy allows innovators to connect seemingly unrelated ideas to discover new solutions. * Strategic imagination is the ability to foresee the future and anticipate what might be coming. It's about seeing possibilities before they become apparent to others. Visionaries like Jeff Bezos imagined online shopping dominating the retail industry long before it became mainstream. * Creative Imagination: This is where you experiment mentally with new ideas, combining and recombining concepts in novel ways. Elon Musk used this to blend electric vehicles with luxury performance, a combination revolutionizing the automotive industry. * Practical Imagination: The third form is about turning ideas into reality. This is where innovation secret number three lies—how to translate abstract concepts into tangible results. Engineers, project managers, and athletes excel at this, visualizing steps and rehearsing solutions before execution. Exercises to Strengthen Your Imagination Einstein believed that imagination was like a muscle that could be strengthened. His innovation secret was his methodical approach to mental training, using exercises that sharpened his imaginative abilities. Here are a few techniques that can help you unlock your creative potential: * Reverse Engineering Dreams: Analyze your dreams and attempt to manipulate the outcome consciously. This strengthens your ability to create complex mental scenarios. * The Empty Room Exercise: Sit in an empty room and mentally design different configurations every few minutes. This forces you to continuously generate new ideas. * System Inversion: Take a familiar process and reverse it. By breaking the mold, you challenge the assumptions that limit your creativity. Einstein's Innovation Secret Revealed At its core, Einstein's innovation secret isn't about possessing superhuman intelligence but mastering the art of imagination. By training his mind systematically, he could consistently see beyond the obvious,

    20 min

  4. OCT 29

    A Model Career in Innovation

    In the world of technology and innovation, building a model career often means evolving with industry changes, embracing risks, and showing resilience. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Nimrod Ben-Natan, CEO of Harmonic, whose career path is a true model for success in innovation. Starting as a software developer in the mid-90s, Nimrod has led Harmonic through groundbreaking advancements in network virtualization and broadband. Here, he shares his journey and advice for aspiring innovators looking to build their own model careers in tech. From Software Developer to CEO Ben-Natan’s career at Harmonic began in 1996 as a software developer, working on solutions for fiber optics and digital video. He transitioned from technical roles into customer-facing and leadership positions, illustrating how a model career involves versatility and a willingness to pivot. Through multiple cycles of industry change, he worked on projects from digital ad insertion to video-on-demand, each requiring a deep understanding of technology and customer needs. This adaptability helped him to rise to his current position, leading the company as it navigates a continually evolving industry. Embracing Failure as Part of Success A key turning point for Ben-Natan was Harmonic’s decision to enter the broadband access market with a new hardware approach. However, the project faced significant setbacks, even failing to meet industry standards initially. Instead of abandoning the effort, Ben-Natan and his team pivoted toward a network function virtualization approach, eventually achieving market leadership in this area. This experience highlights a vital component of a model career in innovation: seeing failure as an opportunity to pivot and improve. “Failure isn't a negative—it's education,” I emphasized, aligning with Ben-Natan’s view that resilience and learning from setbacks are essential for long-term success. A Vision for the Future Looking ahead, Ben-Natan shared insights on how emerging tech professionals can build a model career in today’s rapidly shifting environment. His advice includes: * Commit to continuous learning: Keep up with evolving skills and industry developments. Staying stagnant can render skills obsolete quickly. * Foster curiosity: Let your curiosity drive your career path, whether in hardware, software, or another technology area. * Value in-person connections: Ben-Natan strongly advocates for in-office experiences to gain essential social skills and professional insight, especially for younger professionals. Ben-Natan also stressed the importance of balancing technical knowledge with an understanding of customer needs, which he believes has been crucial in his model career. By combining technical and customer-facing roles, he gained a 360-degree view of the industry, ultimately guiding him through various high-stakes decisions. The Long Bet on Innovation Not every company can maintain a long-term vision, especially regarding risky ventures. Harmonic’s success with network function virtualization took nearly a decade to realize. Yet, the management team’s commitment to a long-term strategy allowed them to weather the uncertainties and ultimately bring innovative products to market. I pointed out that few companies have the patience for a 10-year development process. According to Ben-Natan, Harmonic’s resilience was rooted in a firm conviction that this investment would provide lasting value, positioning the company for industry leadership. Building Your Model Career in Innovation

    37 min

  5. OCT 22

    Thinking About Your Thinking Process – Metacognition

    Have you ever stopped to think about how you think? It may sound odd at first, but this process, known as metacognition, is one of the most powerful tools we have for improving our mental abilities. Metacognition is the act of being aware of your thoughts and thinking patterns, helping you understand how you process information and fine-tune those processes to become more effective. This article will explore advanced techniques for improving your metacognitive abilities and discuss why these skills are so important in your personal and professional life. Why Metacognition Matters Metacognition allows you to reflect on your thoughts, decisions, and actions. By being aware of how you think, you become better equipped to recognize mistakes and identify areas where your thinking may be limited. This self-awareness allows you to adjust and improve your approach, resulting in better decision-making and problem-solving. The significance of metacognition goes beyond just self-improvement. It also enhances your ability to process new information and adapt to changing circumstances. Mastering your thinking process can provide a competitive edge in a world filled with constant challenges. Regularly assessing your cognitive processes improves you at evaluating information, thinking critically, and making informed choices. Advanced Techniques for Metacognitive Mastery It’s important to go beyond basic self-reflection and apply more advanced strategies to harness the power of metacognition. Here are five techniques that can help you elevate your thinking skills: 1. Cognitive Reappraisal Cognitive reappraisal involves consciously changing how you respond to challenging situations. By reframing your thoughts and emotions, you reduce stress and adopt a more reflective approach to problem-solving. This technique encourages you to recognize your mental habits and biases, making you more aware of your thinking patterns. * Steps to apply Cognitive Reappraisal: * Identify a challenging situation. * Reflect on your initial emotional response. * Reframe your perspective to improve your outcome. 2. Thought Experimentation Inspired by great thinkers like Einstein, thought experimentation allows you to simulate different scenarios mentally. This practice strengthens your ability to anticipate consequences and make strategic decisions. * Steps to engage in Thought Experimentation: * Choose a decision or problem. * Visualize multiple outcomes. * Analyze potential solutions. 3. Metacognitive Journaling Journaling with a metacognitive focus means regularly reviewing and analyzing your thoughts for patterns over time. This reflection sharpens your ability to regulate cognitive processes and make more informed choices. * Steps to practice Metacognitive Journaling: * Record your thoughts in a journal. * Regularly review entries to detect patterns. 4. Mind Mapping Mind mapping helps organize information visually, promoting better comprehension and discovering new connections between ideas. This technique improves your ability to analyze and synthesize information. 5. Socratic Questioning By deep questioning, you examine the foundations of your beliefs and assumptions. This approach fosters critical thinking and improves your capacity to analyze the validity of your thoughts. Conclusion Metacognition, or thinking about your thinking, can revolutionize how you approach challenges and opportunities.

    16 min

  6. OCT 15

    How to Stop Being Mentally Weak

    Mental strength isn't just for high achievers; it's something we can all build. The first step to stopping being mentally weak is recognizing that mental strength doesn't mean never feeling fear or doubt. Instead, it's about pushing past these feelings to achieve your best. Let's dive into three strategies to break free from mental weakness and get on track to mental resilience. Understanding Mental Weakness Mental weakness is more about self-sabotage than skill or intelligence. It's that whisper urging you to give up or holding you back through doubt, fear, or even perfectionism. Here are some common signs of mental weakness: * Procrastination: Avoiding tasks due to fear of failure or self-doubt. * Negative Self-Talk: Phrases like “I can't” or “I'll never be good enough.” * Self-Criticism: Berating yourself for minor mistakes or perceived flaws. * Comparing to Others: Constantly measuring yourself against others leaves you feeling inadequate. If these sound familiar, you're not alone. The good news? You can stop being mentally weak by practicing a few simple strategies daily. 1. Practice Positive Self-Talk To stop being mentally weak, it's essential to shift your mindset. Positive self-talk isn't about ignoring challenges; it's about framing them in a way that highlights growth. Here's how to make it happen: * Reframe Negative Thoughts: Instead of saying, “I can't do this,” try, “I will learn how to do this.” This subtle change shifts your focus from limitations to possibilities. * Create Affirmations: Develop a list of positive affirmations such as “I am resilient” or “I embrace challenges as growth opportunities.” Reciting these phrases daily can strengthen your resolve. * Visualize Success: Picture yourself achieving your goals. Feel the emotions associated with success to boost confidence. * Challenge Negativity: When negative thoughts arise, question their validity. Often, simply challenging these thoughts can lessen their impact. 2. Build Resilience Through Incremental Challenges Resilience is a powerful tool to help you stop being mentally weak. By taking on small, manageable challenges and gradually increasing the difficulty, you train your mind to withstand setbacks. * Set Achievable Goals: Start with small goals just outside your comfort zone. With each success, your confidence and mental strength grow. * Incremental Progress: Tackle progressively harder challenges. This creates momentum and reinforces resilience. * Develop a Routine: Consistency is key. Establish routines that incorporate resilience-building activities like exercise, journaling, or meditation. * Stay Flexible: Life throws curveballs, so adaptability is essential. Keeping an open mind fosters resilience and reduces resistance to change. 3. Learn from Failures and Adjust Instead of fearing failure, view it as a learning opportunity. Every setback offers a chance to grow stronger. Here's how to make failure work for you: * Reflect on Setbacks: When something doesn't go as planned, analyze what went wrong. This isn't about assigning blame but about identifying areas for improvement. * Embrace Accountability: Take responsibility for your actions. Owning up to mistakes empowers you to make necessary adjustments. * Extract Lessons: For every failure, there's a lesson. Use these insights to strengthen your strategies moving forward. * Celebrate Growth: Recognize the resilience you b...

    12 min

  7. OCT 8

    Navigating the New Frontier of Innovation

    Innovation isn't a solo act. It's about finding the right people to journey with, blending skills, and creating a foundation built on trust and shared goals. At the recent Tech Expo, I sat down with my best friend and long-time partner, Harry Beane. We've shared years of collaboration, including launching Omnipoint—the first GSM mobile carrier in the U.S., now known as T-Mobile—and Teligent, the first point-to-multipoint carrier in the U.S., which expanded to 12 countries. Working with Harry taught me that strong partnerships are just as important as fresh ideas in the new frontier of innovation. The Importance of Complementary Skills From the early days, Harry and I recognized how perfectly our strengths complemented each other. While I focused on one aspect, he tackled another, allowing us to overcome even the toughest challenges. As we navigate this new frontier of innovation, having people who bring diverse skills to the table has never been more critical. I've learned that the best innovations come from teams where everyone understands their role and respects what others bring to the process. Fostering Creativity in the Next Generation Innovation is a long game, and it doesn't stop with us. As a grandparent, I actively help my grandchildren see the potential in creating rather than just consuming technology. My granddaughter, for instance, runs her own YouTube channel, and my grandson has turned his passion for laser cutting into a small business. Watching them explore their creativity reminds me of the joy of discovery and the importance of giving young people the tools they need to shape their futures. Harry and I talked about balancing screen time with physical, hands-on projects. It's all about blending modern technology with practical skills that build motor skills and problem-solving abilities. The new frontier of innovation isn't just about what we can create; it's about equipping the next generation to take it even further. Embracing Failure as Part of the Process Failure often has a bad rap, but Harry and I know it's a powerful teacher. I've had my share of failures, and so has he, but we agree that each was a necessary step in the learning process. My time with the Boy Scouts taught me the value of structured, safe risk-taking—something that modern businesses sometimes shy away from. Harry's military background reinforced this outlook; he understands that failure isn't the end but an opportunity to re-strategize and move forward with more insight. This new frontier of innovation demands a mindset that embraces failure as part of the journey. Teaching young people to see failure this way will set them up to take risks, explore new ideas, and ultimately become more resilient. Building a Team Culture That Supports Innovation One of the biggest lessons Harry and I have learned is the importance of a supportive team culture. Innovation isn't about being a lone genius; it's about building a place where every member feels safe to share ideas, take risks, and fail without fear. Team members explore uncharted territory far more readily when they know I won't punish them for their mistakes. That's how real breakthroughs happen. In our conversation, we discussed how transparency and trust are crucial in this environment. A team needs leaders to encourage them to push boundaries and celebrate wins and learning moments. When you create this kind of culture, innovation and a shared expectation are possible. Final Thoughts Wrapping up our conversation, I recognized the true value of a good partnership. We've supported each other so much, and sharing this journey with him has been a pleas...

    36 min

  8. OCT 1

    How to Improve Your Design Thinking Skills

    What do Apple's first mouse, the stand-up toothpaste tube, and the Palm V PDA have in common? They were all products of design thinking, a methodology that drives innovation and creativity to solve complex problems. Companies like IDEO, a leading expert in design thinking, have revolutionized product development and set the standard for innovation. But how do you cultivate the skills that led to such breakthroughs? Anyone can learn and practice design thinking skills, and they offer a powerful approach to developing products, services, and experiences that make an impact. Understanding Design Thinking At its core, design thinking is not just about creating creative ideas. It's a structured approach focusing on understanding and empathizing with the end user. By getting to the root of users' needs, design thinkers create more intuitive, functional, and user-friendly solutions. To improve your design thinking skills, you must understand its key components: empathy, creativity, and rationality. Steps to Improve Your Design Thinking Skills Whether you're a seasoned professional or just beginning your journey, honing your design thinking skills requires practice and dedication. Here are essential steps you can take to strengthen these skills: 1.      Empathize with Users The first and most critical step in design thinking is empathy. It would help if you put yourself in the shoes of your users to understand their needs, challenges, and motivations. * Conduct User Research: Interviews, surveys, and focus groups help gather data on user experiences. * Observe in Real Life: Spend time with users in their natural environment to see how they interact with products. * Create Empathy Maps: Visualize what your users think, feel, and do. This can be a simple map or a more detailed storyboard of their journey. 2.      Define the Problem After empathizing, it's crucial to define the problem clearly. This helps ensure you are solving the right issue. * Analyze Insights: Review user research to find key themes and pain points. * Craft a Problem Statement: A well-defined, user-centric problem statement keeps your focus sharp during ideation. 3.      Brainstorm Creative Solutions Once the problem is apparent, it's time to generate a wide range of potential solutions. Design thinking encourages brainstorming, focusing on quantity over quality at the early stages. The more ideas, the better! * Diverse Perspectives: Encourage input from people with varied backgrounds. This leads to unique solutions that people might have otherwise overlooked. 4.      Prototype and Test Turn your ideas into tangible prototypes. These can be as simple as sketches or as complex as interactive models. Testing these prototypes with users helps refine the solution. * Iterate and Improve: Collect feedback and iterate based on what works and doesn't. This process is essential to building solutions that truly resonate with users. Why You Should Master Design Thinking Skills Design thinking is a tool that can propel your creativity and problem-solving capabilities to new heights. It's a versatile approach that can be applied across industries, whether you're in tech, marketing, or healthcare. By improving your design thinking skills, you set yourself apart as a creative problem solver who understands how to create user-focused solutions. With practice,

    26 min
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About

Step into the world of relentless creativity with the Killer Innovations Podcast, hosted by Phil McKinney. Since 2005, it has carved its niche in history as the longest-running podcast. Join the community of innovators, designers, creatives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries who are constantly pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. Discover the power of thinking differently and taking risks to achieve success. The podcast covers a wide range of topics, including innovation, technology, business, leadership, creativity, design, and more. Every episode is not just talk; it's about taking action and implementing strategies to help you become a successful innovator. Each episode provides practical tips, real-life examples, and thought-provoking insights to challenge your thinking and inspire you to unleash your creativity. The podcast archive: KillerInnovations.com About Phil McKinney: Phil McKinney, CTO of HP (ret) and CEO of CableLabs, has been credited with forming and leading multiple teams that FastCompany and BusinessWeek list as one of the “50 Most Innovative”. His recognition includes Vanity Fair naming him “The Innovation Guru,” MSNBC and Fox Business calling him "The Gadget Guy," and the San Jose Mercury News dubbing him the "chief seer."

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