Innovators are Unreasonable Networkers

John Stuart Mill believed that progress occurs when people with varying experiences come together and share their ideas. However, today’s society can sometimes limit interactions and make discussions increasingly narrow. This has implications on innovation since the best innovators have active networks with people outside their industry or geography, and they resist the temptation to merely conform to current conditions. These innovators seek out knowledge and networks, and they understand that innovation thrives at the intersection of people, technologies, industries, and information. Resisting established norms and seeking new truths may not always be popular, but it is necessary for growth.