Avoiding the pitfalls of working in a vacuum
As humans, we know we need oxygen to survive, and the same goes for ideas.
Stifle an idea in a vacuum and it’s probably going to die.
How do we avoid this?
In a word: collaboration.
Collaborative learning
I am a great advocate of collaborative learning. As part of my university teaching role, I design learning experiences to help students benefit from collaborative exploration and discovery.
This may take the form of team-based activities, or group discussions in class.
Even for my personal learning and development, tapping into communities such as those on Twitter can be incredibly valuable.
Collaborative innovation
When it comes to innovation and entrepreneurship, working in a vacuum can starve an idea of the oxygen it needs.
This is where advisors and community come into play.
In the same way that collaborative learning in an educational context helps learners deepen their understanding and uncover new insights, collaborative innovation can do the same for a startup.
With a range of advisors or partners, an early stage startup can:
- Reduce risk
- Be prepared
- Uncover new opportunities
- Make more informed decisions
- Gain the confidence to know when to pivot and when to persist
If this sounds like what you need, maybe I can help…
Looking for a collaborator?
I’m always keen to talk to people working on interesting problems.
Particularly if you’re in the EdTech space, we should definitely talk!
I have 7+ years experience working in Higher Education and double that amount of time running my own businesses and, more recently, advising and consulting on various early stage startups.
I’m on LinkedIn and Twitter, or you can drop me an email.
I look forward to connecting with you!
