In the newest episode of the Disruption Interruption Podcast,
host Karla Jo Helms and Dan Ward, Senior Principal Engineer and
Innovation Catalyst at MITRE, examine Ward's insights into the punk
mindset and its role in fostering innovation. He unveils his latest
book, "Punk: Prompts and Provocations For Authentic Innovations",
in which he challenges the status quo by redefining the essence of
innovation and urging readers to embrace a mindset that prioritizes
efficacy over convention.
TAMPA
BAY, Fla. , May 7, 2024
/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Five years ago, collaboration was "the new
competitive edge." Now, across sectors, partnership is a
prerequisite, and open innovation is essential to keeping pace in a
rapidly changing world. There is a growing awareness of the
possibilities of open innovation and recognition of its potential
to achieve an organization's most urgent and important goals. (1)
In this lively discussion with Karla Jo
Helms (KJ), host of the Disruption Interruption podcast,
Senior Principal Systems Engineer and Innovation Catalyst at MITRE
Dan Ward, known for his unconventional approach to problem-solving
and work in leadership, provides perspectives on how embracing the
"punk ethos" can lead to greater creativity, efficiency, and
success for disruptors. Reflecting on the punk philosophy, Ward
remarks, "Being 'punk enough' means challenging the status quo,
embracing creativity, and daring to try new things. It's about
being open-minded, empathetic, and willing to push boundaries."
Throughout the interview, he emphasizes the importance of breaking
free from conventional norms and embracing a mindset that
encourages experimentation, collaboration, and authenticity.
"Being 'punk enough' means challenging the
status quo, embracing creativity, and daring to try new things.
It's about being open-minded, empathetic, and willing to push
boundaries." - Dan Ward, Senior
Principal Engineer and Innovation Catalyst at MITRE.
Fostering Creativity Through Constraints
In the conversation with KJ, Ward embraces this concept and
highlights the significance of small teams, tight budgets, and
short timelines in driving innovation, citing examples from his
extensive career in the military and civilian contexts. He stresses
that constraints can spark creativity and lead to more impactful
outcomes. When framed effectively, constraints can facilitate
innovation by clarifying objectives and guiding creative thinking.
(2) He cites curiosity as a fundamental ingredient to disruptive
innovation and expounds on the value of asking such questions as,
"What have we not tried yet? What's around the corner? How else
could we do this thing?"
Embracing Authentic Innovation
Ward's book, "Punk: Prompts and Provocations For Authentic
Innovations", espouses the virtues of embracing obscurity and
authenticity, rejecting mainstream conformity in favor of genuine
innovation. He emphasizes, "Innovation should help people. And if
your innovation isn't helping people, it's not an innovation."
During the interview, Ward underscores the power of collaboration
and the value of seeking partners rather than permission. He
encourages individuals to adopt a proactive approach to innovation,
saying, "We don't need permission; we need partners. Let's try this
together and see what amazing things we can accomplish."
Links:
Disruption Unleased: Dan Ward on
PUNK Culture Influence on Redefining Innovation:
https://omny.fm/shows/disruption-interruption/disruption-unleashed-dan-ward-on-punk-culture-infl
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedanward/
Company Website: https://www.thedanward.com/
Personal Website: https://www.mitre.org/
Disruption Interruption is the podcast where you will hear from
today's biggest Industry Disruptors. Learn what motivated them to
bring about innovation and how they overcame opposition to
adoption.
Disruption Interruption can be listened to in Apple's
App Store and Spotify.
About Disruption
InterruptionTM:
Disruption is happening on an unprecedented scale, impacting all
manner of industries— MedTech, Finance, IT, eCommerce, shipping,
logistics, and more—and COVID has moved their timelines up a full
decade or more. But WHO are these disruptors and when did they say,
"THAT'S IT! I'VE HAD IT!"? Time to Disrupt and Interrupt with host
Karla Jo "KJ" Helms, veteran communications disruptor. KJ
interviews badasses who are disrupting their industries and
altering economic networks that have become antiquated with an
establishment resistant to progress. She delves into uncovering
secrets from industry rebels and quiet revolutionaries that uncover
common traits—and not-so-common—that are changing our economic
markets… and lives. Visit the world's key pioneers that persist to
success, despite arrows in their backs at
http://www.disruption-interruption.com.
About Dan Ward:
Dan Ward is a seasoned Senior
Principal Systems Engineer and Innovation Catalyst at MITRE,
focusing on addressing critical challenges in defense,
cybersecurity, healthcare, and transportation. With over two
decades of experience in the US Air Force, he retired as a
Lieutenant Colonel, specializing in high-speed, low-cost technology
development programs. After his military career, Ward founded Dan
Ward Consulting LLC to streamline innovation delivery processes.
Renowned for his engaging presentations, he has spoken at
prestigious conferences globally and authored several influential
books, including "PUNK: Prompts & Provocations for Authentic
Innovations," which explores the intersection of punk rock and
innovation. Ward's expertise has been recognized by various
institutions, including the White House, and his writings have
appeared in esteemed publications. He holds three engineering
degrees and resides in Massachusetts with his family, where he enjoys
juggling and fire eating as hobbies.
About Karla Jo Helms:
Karla Jo Helms is the Chief
Evangelist and Anti-PR® Strategist for JOTO PR Disruptors™.
Karla Jo learned firsthand how
unforgiving business can be when millions of dollars are on the
line — and how the control of public opinion often determines
whether one company is happily chosen, or another is brutally
rejected. Being an alumnus of crisis management, Karla Jo has worked with litigation attorneys,
private investigators, and the media to help restore companies of
goodwill into the good graces of public opinion — Karla Jo operates on the ethic of getting it
right the first time, not relying on second chances and doing what
it takes to excel. Helms speaks globally on public relations, how
the PR industry itself has lost its way, and how, in the right
hands, corporations can harness the power of Anti-PR to drive
markets and impact market perception.
References
1. Labs, Luminary. "State of Open Innovation
2023 Report: Organizations Use Open Innovation to Address Their
Most Urgent and Important Goals." PR Newswire: Press Release
Distribution, Targeting, Monitoring and Marketing, 16 Nov. 2023,
2. Bentley, Dan. "How Constraints Actually
Increase Creativity and Innovation." Impacto, 27 Sept. 2021
Media Inquiries:
Karla Jo Helms
JOTO PR™
727-777-4619
jotopr.com
khelms@jotopr.com
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