How Innovation is Like Sex

I woke up early this morning to finish a very profound article on the future of jobs. This clearly is not it. Instead, I thought we could have a little fun with an idea that’s been rattling around in my head since I've been doing innovation: Innovation is like sex. A lot like it. A bunch of unrelated (hopefully) individuals having intercourse, hoping to birth something extraordinary. Well, at least that’s what the textbooks say.

Here are 11 ways innovation is like sex:

1. Both will be messy...even if you’re doing it right. Especially if you’re doing it right.
2. Those talking about it most are doing it the least.
3. Chemistry is important. Different partners produce wildly different results.
4. Variety and exploration are fun, but most experiments don’t work out. The few that do, can be amazing.
5. You don’t have to be first for it to be great. (OK, for one of them, you might want to be first that day.)
6. Both are more satisfying when you don’t have to pay for it.
7. Both spawned a cottage industry of experts teaching you how to get some. (Myself included...I suppose.)
8. You probably shouldn't do either until you’re ready – mentally, physically, financially.
9. Neither requires a special room, but the right atmosphere makes a difference. May I suggest some Barry White? For the office, of course.
10. Both can only achieve transcendence once you commit and invest for the long term.
11. Everyone can tell when you're faking it.

Back to the serious stuff next week...

For now, you can sign up to the IdeaFaktory mailing list to get updates on my upcoming articles on innovation and entrepreneurship. You can also follow me at IdeaFaktory, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+, and Twitter.

Image: Paul Vera-Broadbent/CC/Flickr