The Rhythm of Life: Maintaining Consistency in Innovation

When Ernest Shackleton set off for Antarctica in 1915 it as billed as a grand adventure. In the days before GPS or modern thermal clothing such an adventure carried genuine risks. 

After becoming stranded on the ice floes, their ship 'Endurance' eventually sank, broken up by the pressure of the ice. It would have been easy to give up hope, but Shackleton understood that maintaining the rhythm of daily life was essential for the survival of his crew.

Rising at the scheduled time, eating regular meals, engaging in designated chores and keeping up group entertainment such as music and games were all part of ensuring that the explorers had a reason to get out of bed, when it could have been so easy to curl up and freeze. Rhythm helped to maintain hope through the darkest and coldest of days.

Innovation can be hard, because when you're trying something new there's uncertainty about the outcome. Developing a rhythm to your innovation activities can help to build the consistency you need to reduce uncertainty and see a clear path ahead.

This is the third in a series of three article on building consistency in innovation. You can download the whole Innovation series here.