INNOVATION: THE WHY BETTER THAN THE HOW BY HARRY MAKEE

Innovation, what is it exactly? This is one of many questions I have asked myself throughout my semesters at Miami. For much of my time, I’ve always considered the subject to be based on creativity and creating the best solutions possible. However, through my exploration and practice of the subject more recently I’ve come to realize that maybe I’ve misunderstood the subject this whole time.

Einstein once said “If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes…” Coming from one of the greatest innovators to have ever lived, I’ve determined that creativity in innovation truly stems from the questions you ask as opposed to the solutions you create. Focusing on the why of something instead of the how allows for one to gain a greater grasp in exercising innovation.

I have by no means come close to perfecting this skill or even began to. This is something that goes against the very structure and system I was taught throughout my life academically. However, as I become older and develop this ability, I have no doubt that myself and others who focus more on the questions they ask then the answers they give will have a more successful path to creating something innovative.