• Killer Innovations with Phil McKinney

  • By: Phil McKinney
  • Podcast

Killer Innovations with Phil McKinney

By: Phil McKinney
  • Summary

  • Step into the world of relentless creativity with the Killer Innovations Podcast, hosted by Phil McKinney. Since 2005, it has carved its niche in history as the longest-running podcast. Join the community of innovators, designers, creatives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries who are constantly pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. Discover the power of thinking differently and taking risks to achieve success. The podcast covers a wide range of topics, including innovation, technology, business, leadership, creativity, design, and more. Every episode is not just talk; it's about taking action and implementing strategies that can help you become a successful innovator. Each episode provides practical tips, real-life examples, and thought-provoking insights that will challenge your thinking and inspire you to unleash your creativity. The podcast archive: KillerInnovations.com About Phil McKinney: Phil McKinney, CTO of HP (ret) and CEO of CableLabs, has been credited with forming and leading multiple teams that FastCompany and BusinessWeek list as one of the “50 Most Innovative”. His recognition includes Vanity Fair naming him “The Innovation Guru,” MSNBC and Fox Business calling him "The Gadget Guy," and the San Jose Mercury News dubbing him the "chief seer."
    See http://philmckinney.com
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Episodes
  • The Experimenter Mindset
    Dec 17 2024

    Why do some innovators bounce back stronger from every setback?

    In this episode, we dive into the fascinating story of a product demo that literally burst into flames in front of a potential investor - and how that spectacular failure led to three groundbreaking patents.

    The key? Something called the experimenter mindset. It's a powerful approach used by leading innovators that completely transforms how we view outcomes. Instead of seeing things as successes or failures, experimenters view every result as valuable data pointing toward their next breakthrough.

    This episode breaks down the five core characteristics that make up the experimenter's DNA and shows exactly how to develop each one. You'll see how real teams use simple tools like the three-column technique to extract powerful insights from every outcome, and how keeping a "friction log" can turn your most contentious meetings into breakthrough sessions.

    Some key takeaways from the episode:

    • Why emotional detachment is crucial for innovation (and how to develop it)

    • The power of hypothesis-driven thinking in everyday situations

    • A simple documentation method that compounds learning over time

    • How pattern recognition transforms random data points into breakthrough insights

    • The iterative mindset that keeps you moving forward

    The most valuable insight might be the distinction between experimental results and personal worth. As one engineer in our story discovered, separating these two can be the difference between quitting and breakthrough innovation.

    Whether you're leading a team, building a product, or working on personal projects, this episode offers practical tools for transforming setbacks into stepping stones toward your next innovation.

    Want to start applying these concepts right away? Grab a piece of paper and try the three-column technique we demonstrate in the episode. It's surprisingly simple but remarkably powerful at extracting valuable insights from any situation.

    Check out the full episode to get the complete framework and see real examples of how teams are using these tools to drive innovation.

    #Innovation #ExperimenterMindset #Leadership #ProductDevelopment #CreativeProblemSolving

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    21 mins
  • How to Be a Professional Innovator
    Dec 10 2024

    In poker, strategies divide professionals and amateurs. A professional poker player participates in only 15% of hands, while amateurs engage far more recklessly. This principle applies to innovation as well. To stand out as a professional innovator, you must move beyond enthusiasm and adopt a disciplined, strategic approach to managing ideas and resources.

    The Traits of a Professional Innovator

    Professional innovators understand that success lies not in chasing every idea but in executing the right ones effectively. Here’s what sets them apart:

    • Strategic Thinking: Professionals clearly envision their goals and the landscape they operate within. They critically assess opportunities, focusing on projects that align with long-term objectives.
    • Resource Management: Time, energy, and capital are finite. Professionals allocate these resources carefully, ensuring they support projects with the highest potential returns.
    • Risk Awareness: Innovation involves uncertainty, but professional innovators evaluate risks thoroughly. They create contingency plans to manage challenges, turning potential threats into manageable risks.
    Steps to Transition From Amateur to Professional

    Many innovators start as amateurs, brimming with ideas but lacking direction. Here are actionable steps to leap:

    1. Hone Strategic Planning Skills

    A professional innovator sets clear, actionable goals and develops a roadmap with measurable milestones. This clarity prevents distractions and ensures focused efforts.

    2. Prioritize Effectively

    Not all tasks are created equal. Understand the distinction between urgent and important tasks, and direct your energy toward activities that drive long-term impact.

    3. Embrace Failure

    Failure isn’t a setback—it’s a learning opportunity. Analyze what went wrong in past projects to refine your approach and build resilience for future endeavors.

    4. Evaluate Ideas Systematically

    Before pursuing a new project, assess its potential impact and alignment with your overall strategy. Ask questions like:

    • Does this idea solve a significant problem?
    • Can it scale effectively?
    • Does it align with my core objectives?

    By filtering out less promising ideas early, you conserve resources for high-potential opportunities.

    The Mindset of a Professional Innovator

    Adopting the mindset of a professional innovator means balancing passion with practicality. Enthusiasm plays a crucial role, but strategic foresight must anchor it. Professionals view innovation as a discipline that requires thoughtful planning, adaptability, and consistent follow-through.

    In conclusion, the journey from amateur to professional innovator is about more than experience. It’s a commitment to strategic thinking, effective resource allocation, and embracing challenges. The world of innovation is vast and full of opportunities. Equip yourself with the right tools and mindset, and you’ll achieve success and inspire others to elevate their approaches.

    Whether you’re just starting or refining your approach, remember being a professional innovator is within reach. Take deliberate steps, and watch your impact grow.

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    11 mins
  • How to Build an Explorer Mindset
    Dec 3 2024

    Want to know why some people get excited about uncertainty while others run from it? It's all about having an explorer mindset. Think of it as having the ability to see opportunities where others only see obstacles.

    In this episode, I share how history's greatest innovators transformed uncertainty into their superpower - from ancient mariners charting unknown waters to modern entrepreneurs reshaping entire industries. The best part? You can tap into these same patterns of thinking.

    I break down three key traits of the explorer mindset that set breakthrough thinkers apart:

    • Seeing uncertainty as an invitation to discover

    • Using questions as powerful tools for insight

    • Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable

    But I don't just talk theory. You'll get real, practical ways to build these skills week by week. My favorite is the Daily Unknown Challenge - a simple but powerful way to stretch your comfort zone bit by bit.

    Of course, it's not all smooth sailing. We also look at the tricky parts nobody talks about, like:

    • How to avoid getting overwhelmed by too many possibilities

    • Ways to bring others along on your journey when they prefer the familiar path

    • Tips for balancing exploration with actually getting things done

    • Dealing with pushback from those who prefer "business as usual"

    Here's what makes this topic so exciting: anyone can develop an explorer mindset. You don't need special talents or an adventurous personality - just the right approach and consistent practice.

    Want to know the strategies that real innovators use to create breakthrough success? Tune in to hear the full story. I share specific practices you can start using today to build your own explorer mindset.

    Whether you're leading a team, running a business, or just want to think differently, this episode will change how you see uncertainty. You might find it hard to go back to "business as usual" once you see the world through an explorer's eyes.

    Ready to transform challenges into opportunities?

    Watch the full video or listen to the podcast for all the details. And hey, drop a comment - I'd love to hear what makes you nervous about stepping into the unknown.

    Want to go deeper?

    Join our community of innovators and explorers by supporting us on Patreon. You'll get exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and direct access to the live stream from my personal innovation studio, where we can explore ideas together. You will also get access to The Innovators Community over on Discord!

    🎯 RESOURCE: Download the Guide to the Explorer Mindset mentioned in the video: https://www.patreon.com/philmckinney

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    20 mins

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