Reading List for Innovators

A list of books that have greatly influenced the way I view the world, my family, and my career. I'd like to think of myself as one who can regularly think out-of-the box. While I in no way learned to do this from these books, I owe something to them for helping me not get sucked back into the daily rat race that stifles creativity and innovation.

	Mastering the Dynamics of Innovation By: James M. Utterback My Take: A great book for those who frequently have ideas but don't write them down thinking that they couldn't possibly have thought of something truly unique. Innovation is a "process" of finely tuning a "rough idea" into something that is "best of class". Each improvement is in itself significant and definitely worth your time to express on paper!
	The New New Thing: A Silicon Valley Story By: Michael Lewis My Take: A roller coaster ride with Jim Clark, creator of three multi-billion dollar startups. It is an entertaining look at the gumption need to create a new business up through the cracks of market leaders. Jim possessed the rare business/technical skills and vision required to call three winners in a row and force venture capitalists to watch his every move for the opportunity to catch the next wave!
	Orbiting the Giant Hairball : A Corporate Fool's Guide to Surviving With Grace By: Gordon MacKenzie My Take: A motto for creative people to live by -- be unique and don't get sucked into company politics - public enemy #1 of creativity/innovation. Gordon became an expert at orbiting corporate politics (hairball) while working at Hallmark. This book makes you think about how people can become stymied by politics to the point where it impacts their ability to innovate.
	Uncommon Genius : How Great Ideas Are Born By: Denise G. Shekerjian My Take: A detailed look at winners of the MacArthur Award. The book looks at what they had in common and what spurred their intellectual brainstorm. While many of these people are brilliant, it is interesting to realize that most people who labor over research never uncover anything earth shattering. Innovation is sporadic at best and those who are careful to capture it (write down ideas) or apply things known in one industry to another find it less difficult to be innovative than becoming exceedingly knowledgeable in any one subject.

Have a book you'd like me to review? Just send it to me, if I like it I'll write a review and post it on this web site. Use the Comments, Feedback link below to contact me for more information.

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