Reilly Newman | If I asked you to draw an idea or the image of coming up with an idea, chances are you would draw a lightbulb. Actually, ChatGPT also generated an image of a lightbulb when I asked it to create an image of an idea. Since, AI is the aggregate of the average then it makes sense that both artificial intelligence and human intelligence would default to the visual depiction of idea being a lightbulb.
Now let’s imagine trying to depict an “idea” before the invention of the lightbulb. It’s much more challenging and less visual because it makes our brain then think of the initial “spark” where an idea comes from. The divine inspiration or strike that hits us when we get an idea.
Although the lightbulb is an icon to depict the idea, the meaning is more rooted in the “getting” of an idea. This also seems to be the value of an idea in the first place; the spark that ignites us into a direction or drives us toward a solution.
An idea person isn’t one who has hoards of ideas just sitting, but one with a natural knack of “getting” or acquiring ideas. They recognize patterns, connect dots, and have the ability to “get” the idea. Idea is much less a noun than it is a verb. Idea is the act of getting, not having.
This directly connects to creative endeavors and problem-solving. Whether within a business or the marketing of a brand, creative problem-solving is derived from ideas. Therefore, a true creative is good at getting ideas. This then makes it apparent that although many can have an idea, there is an art and even a natural inclination or muscle development in the getting of an idea.
This means there are differences among ideas. There are good ideas and bad ideas. Ideas of lesser-caliber thinking and ideas of high-quality thinking. Masters of idea getting, will be better at fetching good ideas. Much like a professional chef will be better at making a great dish compared to a novice chef like myself. A delicious meal is more than a plate just as an idea is more than a lightbulb.
As business leaders, founders, and marketers, this is important to remember as both problems AND opportunities require high-quality ideas. This isn’t to separate haves and have-nots or thinkers from nonthinkers, but to leverage the experience and gifts of those “idea getters” so they can do what they do best. After all, if you had a professional chef you should not choose to have me make your meal, as I would have better strategies on building your brand than the chef.
