Explores the relationship between innovation and neuroscience and the Innovators DNA. Examines research by Saras Sarasvathy, Amy Wilkinson and Heidi Neck.

1. 1
Creative,
Innovative,
Entrepreneurial
Mindsets

2. A mindset is the ideas
and attitudes with
which a person
approaches a situation

3. We are interested in the
mindset of those who
regularly create and
innovate to build
something of value around
perceived opportunities

4. If you want to be an
innovator, you need
to be a master of
your own brain
Prof. Ian Robertson, Neuroscientist, TCD

6. Source: Prof. Ian Robertson, Neuroscientist, TCD

7. Words or language…do not
seem to play any role in my
mechanism of thought.
My elements of thought
are…images
Albert Einstein

8. Language-based thought Visual-based thought
Written & numerical skills Creative, innovative,
imaginative skills
Logical analytical reasoning ‘Insight’ problems that need
intuitive solutions
Convergent problem-solving Divergent problem-solving
Atomistic, factual, verbal
thinking
Holistic, abstract, space-
shape, 3-D thinking
Grounded, incremental,
safe, predictable ideas
Novel, fresh, blue-sky,
spaced-out, magical ideas
More reliable memories,
less vivid
More vivid memories, less
reliable

10. 10

11. Saras Sarasvathy UVA
How entrepreneurs
think, behave and act

12. #1: Bird-in-Hand (Means) Principle
Expert entrepreneurs don’t
set out with some brilliant
idea or insight about the
future. Instead they start
with their means: who I am,
what I know, and whom I
know.
Then they imagine
possibilities that originate
from their means

13. Managerial Thinking (Causal)
Selects between given means to
achieve a pre-determined goal
Entrepreneurial Thinking (Effectual)
Imagining a possible new end
using given set of means
GIVEN
MEANS
GIVEN
GOAL
IMAGINED
ENDS
GIVEN
MEANS
M1
M2
M3
M4
M5
M1
M2
M3
M4

14. #2: Affordable Loss Principle
Expert entrepreneurs limit
risk by understanding
what they can afford to
lose at each step, instead
of seeking large all-or-
nothing opportunities

15. #3: Crazy Quilt (Partnerships) Principle
Expert entrepreneurs build
their ‘future’ in partnership
with customers, suppliers
and even prospective
competitors.
By obtaining pre-
commitments from these
key partners early on in the
venture, experts reduce
uncertainty and cocreate
the new market with its
interested participants

16. #4: Lemonade
(Leverage Contingencies) Principle
Expert entrepreneurs
invite the surprise factor.
They see new
opportunities in both
surprises and what many
would consider ‘bad’ news

17. #5: Pilot-in-the-Plane
(Control v Predict) Principle
Expert entrepreneurs are
suspicious of predictive
information. They believe
that by focusing on
activities within their
control their actions will
result in desired
outcomes.
To the extent we can
control the future we
don’t need to predict it

18. Saras Sarasvathy
How entrepreneurs
think, behave and act
@FergalBrophy 18
Amy Wilkinson
Stanford University
Author of The
Creator’s Code:
The Six Essential
Skills of
Extraordinary
Creatives,
Innovators and
Entrepreneurs

19. Find the Gap
By staying alert,
creators spot
opportunities that
others don't see

20. Drive for Daylight
creators focus on the
future, knowing that
where they go, their
eyes go first

21. Fly the OODA Loop
Creators continuously
update their assumptions.
In rapid succession, they
observe, orient, decide, act

22. Fail Wisely
Creators understand
that experiencing a
series of small failures
is essential to avoiding
catastrophic mistakes

23. Network Minds
To solve multifaceted
problems, creators
bring together the
brainpower of diverse
individuals through on-
and off-line forum

24. Gift Small Goods
Creators unleash generosity
by helping others, by
sharing information,
pitching in to complete a
task, or opening
opportunities to colleagues

25. Heidi Neck, Babson College

26. ACTION
TRUMPS
EVERYTHING

27. Done
is better
than
Perfect

28. Everyone has ideas.
They may be too busy or lack the
confidence or technical ability
to carry them out.
But I want to carry them out.
It’s a matter of getting up and doing
James Dyson

29. Do you have an
Entrepreneurial
Mindset?

30. Your Entrepreneurial Test
For each of the statements please indicate the most
appropriate answer for you. Score as follows:
Your Answer #
Strongly Agree 5
Agree 4
Neither Agree or Disagree 3
Disagree 2
Strongly Disagree 1 30

31. Entrepreneurial Mindset 1-5
I solve problems by focusing on WHAT I
HAVE rather than what I need
I have a strong NEED FOR ACHIEVEMENT
I regularly go against the ‘NORM’ or the
‘CROWD’ when making a decision
I find it difficult to empathise with people
who don’t believe they have CONTROL over
their destiny?

32. Entrepreneurial Mindset 1-5
I am effectively able to FOCUS my time and
resources
My friends’ characterise me as an OPTIMIST

33. Entrepreneurial Motivation 1-5
I manage to SOLVE DIFFICULT PROBLEMS
if I try hard enough
I find that a WELL-ORDERED LIFE with
regular tasks and hours makes my life
tedious
I am comfortable in a situation where the
RULES ARE UNCLEAR
I enjoy COLLECTING INFORMATION AND
INSIGHTS before making a decision?

34. Entrepreneurial Behaviour 1-5
I tend to do what I think is the RIGHT or BEST thing
to do rather than what is expected of me
I am comfortable with the idea of TAKING A RISK
with my/my family/my friends money in order to
start my own business
I build and maintain SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS with
others in case their services are required in the
future
I always try to get people’s ‘BUY-IN’ before making
a decision that affects both them and me
TOTAL SCORE

35. 35
Creative,
Innovative,
Entrepreneurial
Mindsets