Sacred Cows and Innovation
Without all the pieces, it’s hard to solve a puzzle… and developing innovative solutions is no different. I’ve always considered the creative process a search for truth. That’s what I love about creativity… it has no “sacred cows*”… everything is fair game and anything is possible. When you consider that creativity fuels innovation, the notion of truth (the whole truth and nothing but) can’t be taken lightly—especially if you’re really serious about innovation.The number of “sacred cows” that dwell within organizations always intrigues me. You can see them in government, education, business and religious institutions. They can even be found in your own home! Contrary to popular belief, everyone has “sacred cows,” existing at every level and in many forms. Once you start looking for them, they’re relatively easy to spot. How? Start by asking some basic questions or suggesting some alternative ideas and watch how people respond. The more honest and logical your questions are, the better. You’ll soon realize that sacred cows are immune from questions or criticism, so doing either makes people defend them. Expect to hear these kinds of responses:
“That won’t work.”
“That violates the rules.”
“We shouldn’t be discussing this.”
“You don’t understand…”
“I can’t believe you asked such a question.”
“You’re missing the point.”
“That could get you fired.”
“It’s too complicated.”
“That’s outside our process.”
“You’re being irreverent.”
“That’s too radical.”
“That’s not the way we do things here.”
“You don’t have the authority.”
In addition, these kinds of responses are often cloaked in argot to make them appear more complicated, important or official-sounding than what they really are.
Reflect back on what it was like to ask questions in grade school. Unless you had a smart and curious teacher, the answers you received will sound much the same today—only you’re older and the answers will be coming from a peer or superior.
Here’s another clue… the bigger the “sacred cow” the more you are made to feel like an outcast. Many organizations claim to want transformation… but without the transforming part… “We need creative solutions… we need to get our people thinking differently… we need to develop a culture of innovation… but we don’t want people asking certain questions or criticizing any of our ‘sacred cows.’” In other words, “Find innovative solutions, but don’t be a truth seeker!”Innovative organizations are truth-seeking by nature… that’s why they attract creative problem-solvers. Non-innovative organizations repel creative people and systematically suppress innovation by protecting sacred cows and reinforcing the status quo. Policies and procedures take precedence over innovative thinking. When you’re in the business of protecting sacred cows, you’re not in the business of innovation. You can’t spend time innovating when you’re busy controlling and programming how and what people think. Perceptual blindness and conformity squelch innovation.
If you’re serious about innovation, free your sacred cows and get to work.
* The term “sacred cow” is used figuratively to mean an object or practice which is considered immune from criticism, especially unreasonably so. The term is based on the popular understanding of the place of cows in Indian religions… as objects that have to be treated with respect, no matter how inconvenient.
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Michael — And, another blind spot for creative thinkers, is thinking that we are immune from such bias on one side, and also may be oblivious to the more obvious, or even sacred, that should be taken into account — albeit perhaps re-framed, on the other. In other words, the stuff inside the box is part of the milieu too.
Also FYI, I have a book someplace entitled, “Sacred Cows Make the Best Burgers”.