Getting Paid for What Isn’t

Essentially leaders of innovation get paid for what isn’t. Yes, they get paid for what is not. As an executive, manager, team leader or entrepreneur, you don’t get paid for what happened in the past. You get paid for what is not - that which is not yet reality. So , as a leader of innovation, it is important for you to realize this and start looking around at what isn’t.

Let’s use a football analogy. In football, the quarterback gets paid for what isn’t. He gets paid for putting the ball where it isn’t. He doesn’t get paid for moving the ball around or running the ball, or calling the plays. He might do that, but he gets paid for putting the ball where it isn’t. And a good quarterback knows how to get the ball where it isn’t.

The next day newspaper articles are published about the game. But journalistic reporting doesn’t make quarterbacks any better. On the other hand, if the coach is any good, his form of communication can make a big difference to the quarterback in getting the ball to where it isn’t. What we refer to in regard to leading innovation is called coaching communication, as opposed to journalistic communication.

A good leader of innovation knows how to gather and analyze the facts, take a look at what the elements are, and has enough experience and training to know how things work. But that isn’t enough to make a great leader. If you want to be an outstanding leader, pay very close attention to what is not. You’re actually paying attention to it whether you are aware of it or not. So, if you know that’s what you’re getting paid for, you can start doing it intentionally.

GoInnovate! is your guide to getting the ball to where it is not.

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