"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower" – attributed to Steve Jobs.
Characteristics of an innovative person - creative and innovative
Innovative people have an opportunistic mindset. They:
- see gaps in the market
- are likely to be wired for novelty – they need new experiences and variety in all aspects of life.
The idea that really successful innovators are high school drop outs is popular. There are a few high profile examples:
- Gerry Ryan – Australian millionaire businessman did not finish his accountancy course but he did study tours and found other ways to learn.
- Lindsay Fox – Australian millionaire businessman. He is famous for being asked to leave Melbourne High School when he was 16 supposedly because of his lack of interest in school. It is more likely Fox found school unbearable because his dyslexia was not diagnosed.
Despite these examples, it's far more common for really successful people to have qualifications and years and of experience behind them. Very few people have overnight success.