Why Most Innovation Isn't Genius—It's Behaviors Anyone Can Practice

Many people believe creativity is an inborn gift—something for artistic prodigies or outlier entrepreneurs. The reality is far more democratic. Research shows that only about one-third of our innovative capacity is tied to genetics. The rest comes from learnable behaviors. Ordinary people around the world have sparked big changes by doing small things differently: a curious parent observing bedtime routines, a high-schooler asking why cafeteria lines always get jammed, an office worker networking with colleagues from totally unrelated fields.

In one organization, a strategic thinker stood out simply by practicing one new behavior: he made a habit of writing down key questions each morning before work. In just three months, this helped him earn a promotion and become a go-to problem solver. These habits—questioning, observing, experimenting, and connecting with diverse people—are reliable shortcuts to unexpected ideas. It’s not about having a sudden stroke of insight; it’s about cultivating actions that consistently put new thinking within reach.

Scientific frameworks like the “innovator’s DNA” illustrate that breakthrough ideas result from behaviors that build your storehouse of experiences and associations. The more actively you engage with the world, the more creative connections you’ll naturally make. Over time, innovation becomes not a gamble, but an ongoing practice grounded in repeatable steps.

Start by checking how you usually tackle problems—are you stuck in autopilot, or are you taking time to truly observe, ask, and experiment? Pick a single discovery skill, like questioning or observing, and decide exactly how you’ll practice it every day this week—maybe it’s pausing to watch customers in your store or trying a new recipe at home. Keep a nightly journal capturing what you tried, any odd details or outcomes, and fresh ideas that spring up. By giving yourself permission to learn and try, you’ll find that little habits combine to shift your creativity from dormant to active. Try just one change today and see what surprises you notice by week’s end.