Innovation as a Mindset Live! w/ Chris Luecke

If you didn’t know already, the name Innovators on Tap was inspired by my time at Cree and a certain strategy that I used when we got stuck on a tough problem.

When we had hit the wall and were failing to make any progress on some particular challenge, I would suggest that we step back and leave the office and go grab a beer.

Now, it wasn’t necessarily that drinking beer helped - although it probably didn’t hurt - but by breaking our routine, getting out of the structure that comes with an office environment, and resetting context…

it allowed us to see the problem in a different light, with a new perspective and it made people more willing to entertain new ideas.

More often than not, this strategy resulted in a unique solution to solve the challenge we had - and left me with a bar tab - but it was worth it.

To be clear, you don’t need to go to a bar, you just have to physically get out of your box  - any change of scenery that allows you to disrupt your normal way of thinking can give you powerful and unique insights into the issues that you’re stuck on.

So, when I had the opportunity to do a joint podcast with Chris Luecke, who also hosts a show with a beer inspired name, I was happy to say yes.

Chris is an account manager for Rockwell Automation and also the host of Manufacturing Happy Hour. This episode is a recording of our live conversation that focused on the benefits of the brutal truth, how trying to manage your career may not be the best strategy, and the delicate balance between managing and leading.

It was a really fun conversation.

Many thanks to Jim and Tony who provided us the space at Milwaukee Brewing Company to host this live podcast and for some great beer!

Please check out the episode in the above link. If you have an opinion on these topics, please feel free to email us through the contact page. The best ideas often stem from the intersection of different points of view. The episode is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you listen to podcasts. Enjoy!