Attending a Conference with the Mind of an Innovator

There are many reasons we attend conferences. We also attend conferences wearing a variety of hats. Sometimes we are the speaker, and we are attending to share something we have learned. Other times we are attending as a promoter with the goal of advancing our organization’s mission. Still other times we are attending to build relationships through networking with like-minded people.

But did you know that you can attend a conference as an innovator? According to Richard Lyons, innovation is defined as “Fresh ideas that create value.” So, innovators are constantly scouting, brainstorming, and developing new ideas out of a desire to see them create value for people who have specific challenges or opportunities.

With that definition in mind, an innovator attends a conference with two big questions on their mind:

1. What new ideas can I identify, flesh out or test while I’m at this event?
2. What problems or opportunities do people I seek to serve have that need new solutions?

Idea Scouting

Conferences are excellent places to find new ideas. When you have hundreds of people in the same space with plenary sessions, workshops and booths of vendors to instigate new thinking, the likelihood you will come across a new and helpful idea is high.

An innovator has their ears open looking for these new ideas. But more than simply being aware, they come with a process in place to document, rank and begin evaluating the new ideas. One of the ways an innovator will evaluate a new idea is by discussing it right there at the conference. By taking an idea that has been shared and testing it with people at the same event, you can identify the idea’s pros and cons quickly and rank whether it is worth more thought or is ok to discard for now.

Pro-Tip: Take whatever “To Do List” solution you use, and create a “New Ideas” section where you can document new ideas and take notes on them.

Understanding People’s Needs

One of the staples of any conference is the coffee breaks, mixers and networking sessions that provide opportunities for connection. The innovator looks at those as an opportunity to gain empathy with this group of people. They ask questions like,

• “What is the greatest challenge you are facing right now in your work?”
• “How are you meeting this new opportunity we just heard about in the main session?”
• “If you could add one superpower to your team today, what skill would it be?”
• “Did that last session leave you encouraged or discouraged…why?”

This unique posture at a conference turns the event into a giant focus group or empathy gathering process to help the innovator understand the specific audience(s) attending the event. It creates a posture that is highly attuned to the needs in the room and the solutions that will make a real difference in their lives.

Pro-Tip: Create a list of questions ahead of a conference that will help you to gain empathy and learn about the challenges and opportunities facing those in the room.

As you prepare to attend your next conference, consider putting on the hat of an innovator as you get on the airplane and check into the hotel. It might unlock new perspectives that make the world of difference!

Also don’t miss the new Missio Nexus Innovation section on our website! And enjoy the many opportunities to learn about innovation that will be part of this week’s conference.

By Jon Hirst. Co- Founder at Generous Mind & Chief Innovation Officer at Innovation in Mission.