I just came back from Israel where I was studying innovation. I discovered a land of pirates. The lines on the roads are merely suggestions. All rules aer open for negotiation. And they believe they can do anything. Amazingly, they accomplish the most amazing things. This land of paradox is full of new technology in the middle of ancient cities.

When I asked people about innovation, two elements seem to drive it. One, the common element of the army and the need to protect Israel. This is accompanied with an amazing hope for the future. Hope for a peaceful future, hope for solving problems and building a safe land.

I came back inspired.
Inspired spiritually and artistically. Inspired to make a difference in this world.
Inspired to have even more piratical adventures.

Courage and Pirates

Innovation lies in the hands of the courageous and the "risk hardy."

Innovation takes place when we try new things

in new ways

from new points of view.

The pirates had to have the courage to face

wild seas

well armed armadas

and capricious winds.

How do we find the courage to leave the known shore

to explore the open seas and discover new lands?

We prepare ourselves to be risk hardy.

One way to do this is to say yes to new opportunities and to

try something new on a regular basis.

In every company listed as highly innovative there is an element of courage in the company. In fact, courage is part of the culture. Leadership style supports courage by allowing people to fail.

After all, not all adventures turn out correctly the first time we venture out.

But we have to venture out if we are ever going to succeed.

So, my pirate friend, how do you become more courageous?

Pirate Language of Innovation

So, back to the idea of Pirates as innovators. As I said there are five language aspects that relate to innovation. This first one is the language of Curiosity. Pirates would never have survived, never have created a new way to be in the world with the desire to explore the world. Curiosity is just that, a desire to explore, to find out, to examine and test. It is this drive that pushes Pirates to leave the known world behind and to go where the map is marked "There be monsters here."

Curiosity pushes Pirates, leaders, explorers, innovators and learners to sail away from the shore into the open ocean in order to find new possibilities. Listen to the language of an innovative Pirate, listen for the hints of curiosity. Does she wonder about life? Does she ask how and why? Does she eschew the familiar path for, perfering to blaze a new trail? Does the routine leave her bored?

How do you find an innovator? Listen for the language of curiosity. This will be the first hint.
Next...courage.

Pirate humor

Remeber, laughter is important. We learn better when we laugh. Our lives seem better when we laugh. We are healthier when we laugh. Keep the humor alive on your ship!

Start with this joke:

A pirate walked into a bar and the bartender said, "Hey, I haven`t seen you in a while. What happened? You look terrible!"
"What do you mean? I`m fine."
"What about that wooden leg? You didn`t have that before."
"Well," said the pirate, "we were in a battle at sea and a cannon ball hit my leg, but the Doc fixed me up, and I`m fine, really."
"Oh yeah? Well, what about that hook? The last time I saw you, youhad both hands."
"We were in another battle and we boarded the enemy ship. I was in a sword fight and my hand was cut off, but the Doc fixed me up with the hook, and I feel great, really."
"Oh," said the bartender, "and what about that eye patch? The last time you were in here, you had both eyes."
"One day when we were at sea some birds were flying over the ship. I looked up and one of them shit in my eye."
"You`re kidding," said the bartender, "you couldn`t have lost an eye just from some bird shit."
"It was my first day with the hook."

Pirate language of innovation

As I have said, pirates were the innovators of the sea. They used five distinct elements of innovation in their language and actions.

• Curiosity
• Courage
• Cross-roads
• Commitment
• Chronicle

I will talk about each of these in an individual entry, but will start with pointing out the power of how we talk. Our words create the world we live in. Our words create and determine the flavor and power of our relationships. Or words tell the world who we are, what we want, and what we are willing and able to do.

So it is no surprise that organizations and groups and individuals who are innovative use a similar language; a language that displays the five elements presented above. Innovators have to be curious about the world around them. They have to be "risk-harder" and courageous. They need to see the connections between and across disciplines, they need to have clear intention and integrity. And finally, they have to be great story tellers.

More to come. Meanwhile, drink a bit a grog and watch that sunset on the horizon.

Pirate Creativity

Pirates are by nature creative. Without creativity Pirates would be unable to build a new way around old rules.

This creativity spreads into the arts too. Most pirates played an instrument, or wove nets, or tied macrame, or carved wood or bone. Finding the artistic part of you can help you find your way through wild waters.

What is your hidden talent? Do you knit or tie dye shirts, or paint scarfs or play the flute? Do you raise plants or puppies? Do you dance in the kitchen or sing in the shower?

Trust me, you have a talent.

Use it.

Develop it.

Creative pursuits help your brain develop new neural pathways.

New pathways in your brain lead to new pathways in your life.

New pathways lead to new adventures

which build new neural pathways.

Take out your finger paints and go for it.

Paint your walls and halls.

Decorate the ship and the sails.

Create a new adventure.

Pirate Pearls continue

What does it take to be a great pirate, besides a wild outfit and good rum?

Well, Curiosity helps. Wondering what is around the next bend, wondering if there are ways to sail better or build a better boat, or wondering "what if?" are all powerful questions.

Charisma helps. This is more about the audience then about you. Do your crew believe in you? Do they trust you? will they follow you? Then you have charisma.

And...be a great problem solver. Meaning be innovative. Invite suggestions. Be adaptive AND have a plan.

A pirate's ability to lead comes from a crew's willingness to follow.
Be the leader they believe you can be.