19 Innovation Killers

I am sure you are aware of a ton of innovation killers in every organization. These are not people but ideas that kill other ideas. Things like – “we have already tried it” or “it’s just not possible to do” and many other memes that effectively scuttle emerging innovations.

A Graveyard of Idea Killers

It surprised me when I saw a real graveyard of these and many other innovation killers. Yes, it was a graveyard with tombstones and each tombstone belonged to an innovation killer. It was a fascinating place dedicated to idea killers of the world.

When I visited Baguio in the Philippines (a long time back), I came across this cemetery called ‘the lost cemetery’ that from afar looked like a real graveyard. On its entrance was a plaque that said :

Negativism is the man’s greatest
self imposed affliction, his most
limiting factor, his heaviest
burden.

No more, for here is buried the
World’s negativism for all time.
Those who rest here have died
Not in vain – but for you a stern
Reminder
—- As you leave this hill
Remember that the rest of your
Life. Be more positive
Have a good day – Treat today
Like its your last
Though it is the first of the
Rest…
CJH

The Tombstones

There were many tombstones in it which are a good reminder of idea killers and how to spot them when you see one. Here are a few notable tombstones and their pictures that I could find in my collection.

 KANT B DONE

Born 2 January 1904
Died 1 January 1904
Died before starting

ITZ NOT POSSIBLE

Still not born

LETZ STUDY IT

Delayed Birth
Stepchildhood
Never reached maturity

WILLNOT LAST

Born 3 Jun 1900
And didn’t

JUST KANT SHAKIT

Born 5 Oct 1919
Died of passivity 20 May 1913

Beyond these there were many other such tombstones that had a lot of wordplay. The others without pictures are below.

WHY DIDNET I

Born: ???
Lived wondering why
Died: for no reason

U HAF TO OR ELSE

Born: Of intimidation
Lived: in resentment
Died: without fame

WONT C. IT

Conceived spring 1904
Left before arrival

IAM OFF D CLOCK

Born at noon
Died too soon

WHATZ INIT FORMI

Born short

Lived long
Died in debt

 

I THOT UWUD DOIT

Conceived fall 1896
Didt make it – autumn 1897

U WOODNUNT LIKIT

Conceived 12 Nov 1904
Done away with 29 Feb 1905

 

DONNA SET A. PRECEDENT

His passing was that of a precedent

NOT A TEMPLAER

Born a star
Lived a meteor
Died in flames

 LETTUCE WAYFOR D’BOSS

Born 5 Aug 1883
Died waiting 1 June 1903

NO DAM WAY
Conceived new years eve 1910
Didnt work out

WONT B USED

KANT DU NOTHIN WRIGHT

BOSS WONT LETTUCE

How many of these innovation killers do you recall facing? Have you found the antidotes to these innovation killers? What was the most effective antidote for you?