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Seargeant, P. (2019). Emoji and the history of human communication. In The emoji revolution: How technology is shaping the future of communication (pp. 26-50). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/9781108677387.002
What does innovation look like?
Innovation as a term teeters between the buzziest of business banter and that which reconfigures any process towards its optimal flow. Although the word bounces about too much, it is fairly easy to tell when it is the former or latter. Nods and kudos to innovation, ironically, are anything but. However, when a certain process that creates value is upended or streamlined to generate greater value, innovation has happened. Consider the development of our alphabet. Where before some letters were pictures that served as ideograms, like "A" being originally the picture of an ox's head, as writing spread to new cultures, these familiar characters remained but took on a new function as a sound, instead of an idea. This new usage better suited the particular grammatical features of the new character hosts. Thus also innovation may not be new at all, but rather much like our bovine "A", a simple 180°.
What is not innovation?
Innovation is not change for change's sake, nor is it tradition for tradition's either. A new approach to an outstanding problem which creates greater value than previous practices have is a necessary criteria for innovation. However, this is a risky and costly enterprise. These are the very reasons we cannot see the potential new ways of problem-solving although the wonderful solutions gaze ox-eyed at us. We look past innovation because "If it ain't broke. . ." easily serves as a palliative to stagnating value creation. For this reason, innovators must be lonely as they forge ahead and beyond the path.
With an idea of what innovation looks like, what should the role of a technology facilitator look like?
Technology facilitators hold a unique position within institutions of all kinds because they possess a talent which unlocks even more talents from their colleagues. They stand to innovate not only a particular use of technology in their workspace, but they also can bring about manifold innovations, by training other innovators to innovate. This can only happen if the technology facilitator practices values like that of the Scrum workflow methodology (see below). Since most if not all work is collaborative, the mindset of the technology facilitator should be one that empowers peers to take command of their tools to use them creatively in order to generate greater value. And so, another irony is that technology is quite ancillary to the role of a technology facilitator.
Scrum.org: The home of Scrum. (2021). Scrum values. https://www.scrum.org/resources/scrum-values-poster
Summation
In reflection of my experience and the course materials of the Instructional Systems Design and Technology program at Sam Houston State University, I attest that Sinek's guidance is best. Technology is only useful if it is meeting a particular need which, when met, generates value. It is therefore vital that the technology facilitator establish relationships with peers in order to learn what their obstacles are and what the solutions should look like. After dialogue, the technology facilitator can answer the question why, and like dominos topple the remaining w's.
References
Couros, G. (2015). The innovator's mindset: Empower learning, unleash talent, and lead a culture of creativity. Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc.
Scrum.org: The home of Scrum. (2021). Scrum values. https://www.scrum.org/resources/scrum-values-poster
Seargeant, P. (2019). Emoji and the history of human communication. In The emoji revolution: How technology is shaping the future of communication (pp. 26-50). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/9781108677387.002
Sinek, S. (28 Sept. 2009). Start with why -- how great leaders inspire action | Simon Sinek | TEDxPugetSound [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4ZoJKF_VuA
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