Trailblazers amplify weak signals
Innovators tend to intentionally develop “perceptual routines” that help them see what others might miss. One of these routines is the amplification of weak signals. Hamel notes:
In building a theory of innovation, I talked to dozens of trailblazers. They weren't all super-smart, or artistically inclined, or the product of an unconventional upbringing. But all of them had developed perceptual routines that helped them see beyond the ordinary—by turning industry dogma on its head, by amplifying weak signals, by exploiting competencies and assets, and by tuning in to customer emotions.[1]
See also:
- Faint signals are whispers from the future
- Strategic forecasting guides decision-making and catalyzes innovation
What Matters Now – Hamel (2012), ch. 2.5, § “Unarticulated Needs” ↩︎