What I Learned About Innovation in San Francisco

I have spent the past week in San Francisco learning from some good engineers. Over the past week, they’ve taught me how to innovate. Here is the boiled down version of what I’ve learned:

1. Have faith in the originality of your ideas

   The other day I was walking with some friends when I heard about a new jet engine design being discussed. The idea was super good and super simple. I asked my friends, “why hasn’t anyone done this before?” One friend, never afraid to speak his mind, turned around and said to me “Ian, that is a terrible way to think if you want to innovate.” There are a lot of ideas that haven’t been tried yet, not because they are bad, but merely because they haven’t been tried, and people are dumb.

2. Impostor syndrome is what learning feels like

   In which scenario would you learn more? Taking a propulsion class, or spending a semester with people who are smarter than you building a rocket engine? I would argue that you would learn much more in the second situation: you would see how high-level engineers structure their workflow, and in your side conversations with them you would be exposed to all sorts of random, detailed facts that could lead to further ideas. You would be immersed in an engineering environment.

   To be immersed in such a comprehensive environment means that you will be brought face-to-face with the gaps in your knowledge every day. The people around you will appear to know so much more. You will learn quickly, but only if you can cope with the fact that you know so little. Only with that recognition can one learn at a breakneck pace. Impostor syndrome is a good sign, because that means you’ve surrounded yourself with people who know more than you—a great learning opportunity!

3. Speak your mind freely

   If you create a habit of calling out excuses (lovingly, of course), you will attract people to you who desire accountability, and you will push away people who have no desire to change. Having an accountable community is helpful when you’re taking on a hard problem because it will keep you oriented when you are down. Calling people on their bullshit also builds trust: if you are known for speaking your mind, then your words will be taken at face value, making communication much easier.

   Speaking your mind freely also gives you another advantage: you will actually learn. If you don’t say what you actually think, then you will waste your time justifying things you don’t actually believe in, and you will have no chance to get a vibe check on your truth. On the other hand, if you speak with no filter, then you may have to fight for your ideas; however, through this fight, they will be clarified if they are correct, and you will be forced to question them if they are not.

4. You are the narrator of your own life. Choose the framing that gives you the most agency.

   You aren’t going to bed because you’re tired. You’re going to bed because it’s the best use of your time. You didn’t give up, you just realized there was a better use for your time. You didn’t fail, you tried the best you could have given what you knew.

   What you believe about what you do affects how you do it. There is a way of looking at things in such a way that you have no control over the situation, and there is a way that gives you complete control. For example, you could say “the university sucks because they provide us no resources,” or you could ask “how could we take advantage of the resources that the university does provide?” A victim mentality pollutes your mind with excuses and barriers that impede action. The good news is that a victim mentality can be quickly reframed by redefining expectations. If you see making an attempt as a lost cause, then you will not make the attempt. On the other hand, if you see the attempt as a worthy use of time, maybe just maybe you will shoot your shot!