I’ve just realised that I don’t have to be ‘an innovator’. I’ve decided it’s a label I don’t need to twist myself in knots trying to add to the long list of things that I am and that I’m proud of, and here’s why.

I see pressure all around for us to be innovative. In this highly connected / social / sharing world thoughts and ideas are popping up and progressing at an astonishingly rapid pace. If we’re all innovative, ahead of the curve, pioneers… who are the doers? The people who ground these ideas and concepts into practice, process and allow them time to grow roots and show their true value.

Don’t get me wrong… I see the desire / need / requirement for change / progress / evolution (I am in learning and development after all!). I’m just not one of the inventors stretching the bounds and disrupting the status quo on a visionary level.

And until recently, I thought that made me less. I thought I had to fake it or hide the fact that it’s not a natural thing for me to lean into (as much as I may want to at times). Just because I don’t class myself as an innovator, doesn’t mean I’m not creative and imaginative.

I do believe in playing to our strengths. Stretching ourselves and continuously developing in the field we thrive in and / or are passionate about. There are a lot of bloody fantastic ideas out there already that aren’t being harnessed to their full potential. Which remain relevant.

I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing if I didn’t think it was pertinent and dare I say it – imperative to flourish in today’s world. The fundamental aspects of communication, connection and problem solving are indeed very useful skills in managing the change going on around us / to us / because of us.

I may not be an innovator, but I am still relevant. And I’m more than ok with that.