Posted on Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Think Like Bill Gates: The 6-Step System That Built Microsoft and is Changing the World

by philmckinney

What made Microsoft possible? Binary code, four kilobytes of memory, and 10,000 hours of deliberate practice. But what truly set Bill Gates apart was a distinct system for solving problems—a mental algorithm that turned complexity into clarity and chaos into systems. The real genius of Bill Gates isn’t just the software he wrote or the […]

Think Like Bill Gates - The 6-Step System That Built Microsoft and is Changing the World

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Posted on Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Think Like Steve Jobs: 6 Strategies Behind Billion Dollar Ideas

by philmckinney

When you think of game-changing innovation, one name stands above the rest—Steve Jobs. His ability to reimagine entire industries didn’t come from technical know-how alone; his way of thinking truly set him apart. Steve Jobs approached problem-solving and creativity in a way that merged art with technology, bringing human experience to the forefront. Let’s dive […]

Think Like Steve Jobs - 6 Strategies Behind Billion Dollar Ideas

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Posted on Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Pay It Forward: How Three Words Created Podcasting’s Longest-Running Innovation Show

by philmckinney

Have you ever wondered what it takes to build something that lasts? Not just a fleeting success, but a platform that grows, evolves, and continues to impact people decades later? The answer isn’t high-end production equipment or a flawless business plan. It starts with a simple idea: pay it forward. That philosophy is the foundation […]

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Posted on Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Tesla vs Edison: The Innovation Methods That Changed The World

by philmckinney

On a stormy night in the 1880s, two men were working relentlessly to shape the future of electricity. In Menlo Park, Thomas Edison meticulously tested another filament variation for his electric light, documenting every failure in his growing logbook. Across New York, Nikola Tesla paced frantically, visualizing complete rotating magnetic fields in his mind, spotting […]

Tesla Vs Edison - The Innovation Methods That Changed The World

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Posted on Tuesday, February 25, 2025

How To Think Like Thomas Edison

by philmckinney

In 1878, gas lamp manufacturers celebrated their dominance, believing their industry was untouchable. But in a small workshop in Menlo Park, Thomas Edison made a bold declaration: he would create an electric light so revolutionary that it would make gas lamps obsolete. The press mocked him. Experts dismissed him. Even some of his colleagues doubted […]

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Posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2025

How To Think Like Nicola Tesla

by philmckinney

Picture this: A man stands in a dusty Colorado laboratory, surrounded by crackling electrical arcs illuminating the night sky. While others might flinch at the raw power, Nicola Tesla, sketching in his notebook, remains unfazed. He isn’t just observing—he’s envisioning the future of wireless energy, mentally simulating systems with perfect clarity before ever building a […]

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Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Building an Innovation Studio Part 2

5-Month Transformation Update

by philmckinney

Ever wondered what it takes to build a space that sparks creativity and enables innovation? I’ve been on a journey transforming my studio from a simple podcast recording room into a full-fledged innovation workspace, and I’m excited to share the progress with you. Five months ago, we embarked on a complete teardown and reconstruction. While […]

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Posted on Tuesday, February 4, 2025

The 90-Second Rule

Your Secret Weapon Against Overthinking

by philmckinney

Ever wondered why simple decisions feel like defusing a bomb? In this week’s episode, we unpack the 90-Second Rule – a game-changing approach to conquering decision paralysis that’s transforming how top performers work. Did you know you lose an average of 37 minutes overthinking each important decision? Multiply that by dozens of decisions per day, […]

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Posted on Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Why Google’s Innovation Strategy is Failing

(And What It Means For Your Business)

by philmckinney

Google spends over $45 billion on R&D a year, yet its graveyard of failed innovations keeps growing – Google+, Glass, Stadia, and countless others. But here’s the surprising truth: this pattern isn’t unique to Google. Even with unlimited resources and top talent, tech giants struggle to innovate alone. The era of solo innovation is dead. […]

Why Google's Innovation Strategy is Failing

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Posted on Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Consume Less to Create More

Unlocking Your True Creative Potential

by philmckinney

Ever notice how you can spend hours scrolling through “inspiration” but end up feeling creatively drained? You’re not alone. In this eye-opening episode, we dive into a counterintuitive truth about creativity that could transform how you generate ideas and solve problems. What if I told you that the secret to unlocking your creativity isn’t about […]

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Posted on Tuesday, January 7, 2025

What Nokia, Kodak, and Blockbuster All Missed: The Groupthink Factor

by philmckinney

It was a quiet moment in a Nokia conference room that would eventually cost $100 billion. An engineer stood nervously, holding a prototype of a full touchscreen phone. The response from management? “Interesting, but that’s not how phones work.” This dismissal highlighted the absence of the groupthink factor—a unified vision that could have driven innovation. […]

What Nokia, Kodak, and Blockbuster All Missed- The Groupthink Factor

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Posted on Tuesday, December 31, 2024

15 Innovation Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree

by philmckinney

What if the biggest predictor of success in innovation wasn’t what everyone thinks? Our research tracking 1,000+ innovation professionals revealed a shocking truth about who succeeds in this high-paying field – and it’s not what you’d expect. In this episode, we break down 15 innovation careers that are transforming industries, with salaries ranging from $70k […]

15 Innovation Jobs that Don't Require a Degree

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Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2024

The Experimenter Mindset

How to Learn From Every Failure

by philmckinney

Why do some innovators bounce back stronger from every setback? In this episode, we dive into the fascinating story of a product demo that literally burst into flames in front of a potential investor – and how that spectacular failure led to three groundbreaking patents. The key? Something called the experimenter mindset. It’s a powerful […]

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Posted on Tuesday, December 10, 2024

How to Be a Professional Innovator

by philmckinney

In poker, strategies divide professionals and amateurs. A professional poker player participates in only 15% of hands, while amateurs engage far more recklessly. This principle applies to innovation as well. To stand out as a professional innovator, you must move beyond enthusiasm and adopt a disciplined, strategic approach to managing ideas and resources. The Traits […]

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Posted on Tuesday, December 3, 2024

How To Build An Explorer Mindset

Overcome Fear Of Uncertainty & Drive Innovation

by philmckinney

Want to know why some people get excited about uncertainty while others run from it? It’s all about having an explorer mindset. Think of it as having the ability to see opportunities where others only see obstacles. In this episode, I share how history’s greatest innovators transformed uncertainty into their superpower – from ancient mariners […]

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Posted on Tuesday, November 26, 2024

How to Build a Success Mindset

by philmckinney

Your brain often lies to you about what’s possible. Success isn’t just about skills, connections, or even luck. The real differentiator is your mindset—the internal operating system that drives how you interpret challenges and opportunities. Developing a success mindset isn’t about forced positivity or empty mantras; it’s about reshaping the way your brain processes the […]

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Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2024

How I Got My First Job in Innovation

by philmckinney

When people ask how to land their first job in innovation, my story always surprises them. It wasn’t about finding the perfect job posting or waiting for an opportunity to knock. Instead, I created my opportunity. In 1992, I worked for a small company in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, when Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) acquired it. The […]

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Posted on Tuesday, November 12, 2024

My Meeting With Elon Musk: Innovate Like A 5-Year-Old

by philmckinney

When I walked into Elon Musk’s office at Tesla in 2011, I knew I was about to see something remarkable, but I couldn’t have predicted how mind-opening the experience would be. Elon Musk, known for revolutionizing industries through SpaceX and Tesla, has a way of questioning the world that feels almost childlike—but not in the […]

My Meeting with Elon Musk - Innovate Like a 5-Year-Old

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Posted on Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Einstein’s Innovation Secret Exposed

by philmckinney

Albert Einstein once famously said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” This quote isn’t just a glimpse into his genius and a revelation of the secret behind his groundbreaking discoveries. While his contemporaries were focused on scientific data and equations, Einstein’s innovation secret lay in his ability to visualize complex concepts like riding alongside a […]

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Posted on Tuesday, October 29, 2024

A Model Career in Innovation

by philmckinney

In the world of technology and innovation, building a model career often means evolving with industry changes, embracing risks, and showing resilience. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Nimrod Ben-Natan, CEO of Harmonic, whose career path is a true model for success in innovation. Starting as a software developer in the mid-90s, […]

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Posted on Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Thinking About Your Thinking Process – Metacognition

by philmckinney

Have you ever stopped to think about how you think? It may sound odd at first, but this process, known as metacognition, is one of the most powerful tools we have for improving our mental abilities. Metacognition is the act of being aware of your thoughts and thinking patterns, helping you understand how you process […]

Thinking About Your Thinking Process - Metacognition

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Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2024

How to Stop Being Mentally Weak

by philmckinney

Mental strength isn’t just for high achievers; it’s something we can all build. The first step to stopping being mentally weak is recognizing that mental strength doesn’t mean never feeling fear or doubt. Instead, it’s about pushing past these feelings to achieve your best. Let’s dive into three strategies to break free from mental weakness […]

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Posted on Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Navigating the New Frontier of Innovation

by philmckinney

Innovation isn’t a solo act. It’s about finding the right people to journey with, blending skills, and creating a foundation built on trust and shared goals. At the recent Tech Expo, I sat down with my best friend and long-time partner, Harry Beane. We’ve shared years of collaboration, including launching Omnipoint—the first GSM mobile carrier […]

Navigating the New Frontier of Innovation

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Posted on Tuesday, October 1, 2024

How to Improve Your Design Thinking Skills

by philmckinney

What do Apple’s first mouse, the stand-up toothpaste tube, and the Palm V PDA have in common? They were all products of design thinking, a methodology that drives innovation and creativity to solve complex problems. Companies like IDEO, a leading expert in design thinking, have revolutionized product development and set the standard for innovation. But […]

How to Improve Your Design Thinking Skills

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Posted on Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Building Innovation Confidence: Tips and Tricks

by philmckinney

Innovation confidence is a crucial mindset for anyone looking to excel in today’s fast-paced world. The perfect blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and adaptability allows you to approach challenges with fresh perspectives. Whether aiming for personal growth or professional success, building innovation and confidence can make all the difference. This episode explores actionable tips and […]

Building Innovation Confidence - Tips and Tricks

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