People that can "do things" innovate.

This is from a post I had on a previous blog. It something I have been asked to think about for an upcoming event, so I thought is was appropriate to bring it back.

So what the heck does it mean “People than can do things innovate?” While working for Swagelok I helped spearhead their SAF 2507 Joining Technology Project and had the pleasure of working closely with a Norwegian Oil & Gas executive brought on as a consultant for the project. This guy embodied the spirit of a modern day “Viking” in every sense.

When we interviewed various mechanical engineers to lead the design phase, I told him there was one guy I thought had the right mentality and outlook on the many challenges we faced proving out the technology. He was the only one who actually did not say “no, it can not be done.” The Viking exec asked a rather funny question: “Well, can he do things?” What? He then went on to ask: “Can he take decisions on his own? Can he engineer or is he a manager wanna be who needs others to do the work? Can do the prototype?” We did not need someone to simply lead the project and tell people what to do; we wanted someone to “do” the project and get things done!

As it turned out the ME was an aerospace engineer who was highly proficient in FEA (pushing the mechanical design limits of things that fly), sourcing stuff, and liked to be on the floor where things were being made. He had absolutely no interest in politics, being in the board room or shmoozing with the hire ups. He was a curious and intensely committed engineer who also turned out to be great with customers. He can do things making him predisposed to innovation. Who are the most important people on your innovation team?