Innovation is the economic religion of the 21st century. Like all economic activity, it has its own competition. It is no longer enough just to be different from the bunch. To thrive today, one needs radical innovation, perseverance, persistence and the human touch, says mentor and motivation wizard Harpreet Kaur Ahluwalia. She narrates the innovative ideas of Guru Sahibs and also how Sikh humanitarian aid institutions have done amazing creative work during the Farmers Morcha and the Oxygen crisis in recent times.

INNOVATORS ARE THOSE THAT CONTINUOUSLY EVOLVE, they are neither static nor fixed in ideas, thoughts, beliefs and attitude. They repeat their success each time and every time with greater perfection. Innovation and creativity help us reinvent ourselves in every situation, in every action, if only one learns to respond to a situation rather than react. The Innovator is the one who keeps going while others are naysayers.

Change is the only certainty in these uncertain times. It’s the only thing affixed in this dynamic and fluid environment. It’s the only reality in this illusionary world. The process of change is kick-started by innovation. It’s the first most critical and incredible step. 

Creativity is loving your work. it is not doing the work you like but liking the work that you do. The underlying spirit is to introduce a different perspective in all domains -to take the path less travelled, to test and hone your skills. 

Change is the only certainty in these uncertain times. It’s the only thing affixed in this dynamic and fluid environment. It’s the only reality in this illusionary world. The process of change is kick-started by innovation. It’s the first most critical and incredible step. 

Every opportunity gives scope for innovation and every innovation translates into opportunity. Winning a 5 million lottery by a labourer is an opportunity, converting it to 500 million requires tenacity and innovative skills. 

Covid19-related lockdown, work from home are all opportunities for many for innovation. In fact, innovation thrives on encouragement, dies with routine, regulations and bureaucracy. 

Covid, lockdown, work from home are all opportunities for many for innovation. In fact, innovation thrives on encouragement, dies with routine, regulations and bureaucracy. 

Today’s strategic priorities must focus on innovating for the future rather than attempting to improve the past. Ideation is the key and creative thinking should outshine pure logic. ‘Think Different” is the key to success. Innovation happens when one can find the gaps. Give the customer what they need, work on their unarticulated needs, observe the familiar with fresh eyes and lead with a purpose. 

Apple, Disney are organizations whose trendsetting capacity is the reflection of their leaders’ beliefs. Develop a culture that aligns employee behaviour with the organization’s innovative strategy. Nothing remains the same, nothing remains static, which way a thing changes, depends entirely on you -get out of the knowledge trap and become intuitively creative.

The tenets of Sikhism have exemplified that Sikhism is not just a religion or an ideology, but the Sikh way of life has brought in innovative concepts which have withstood the test of time and are universal in nature. Sikh Gurus were revolutionaries and they stood apart from the crowd of the oppressed population of those times. They created a clear identity free from dogma.

Guru Nanak was one of the greatest of religious innovators of all time as the founder of Sikhism. He was an original spiritual thinker and gave expression to his learning and teachings through religious hymns.

Guru Nanak was one of the greatest religious innovators of all time as the founder of Sikhism. He was an original spiritual thinker and gave expression to his learning and teachings through religious hymns. He created the ground for denouncing the caste system and any kind of inequality on the basis of work, caste, gender or status. He emphasized that God was neither incarnated nor represented in idols; rather his spirit could be experienced within oneself and outside through Naam Simran –meditation and remembrance of Him. 

The Sikh Gurus with their innovative ideas were game-changers. They saw and acted on opportunities, used critical thinking to resolve dilemmas, broke through compromises and employed their resourcefulness to power through obstacles. The sitting arrangement of langar -the community kitchen and food tradition and practice, is a very distinct innovation -everyone sits in a straight line neither ahead to lay claim to higher status nor behind to denote inferiority.

Innovators maintain a laser focus on outcomes, avoid getting caught in the activity trap and proactively ‘expand the pie’ to make an impact. Regardless of where they start, innovators persist till they successfully change the game. 

He created ‘Sant Sipahi’ who knew how to balance spirituality with courageous actions. He gave us both Naam Simran and the Kirpan -the sword of benevolence. His bravery is admired with awe and his goodness is profoundly revered.

The blessing of Guru Gobind Singh in giving a distinctive character, image and shape to Sikh followers was an extraordinary feat, delivered unto us through the lineage of the Gurus over 239 years of piety, worship, selfless service and character building.   Under the leadership of Guru Gobind Singh, Sikhism further evolved from being mere teachings to a practical way of life and commitment to personal and societal ethics.  His focus was on integrating spirituality along with carrying out worldly responsibilities. He created ‘Sant Sipahi’ who knew how to balance spirituality with courageous actions. He gave us both Naam Simran and the Kirpan -the benevolent sword. His bravery is admired with awe and his goodness is profoundly revered.

He created the Khalsa, Singh and Kaur and gave a code of conduct. He transferred the spirit of eternal Guru to Guru Granth Sahib which thereafter continues to be our eternal guardian, teacher and Guru. 

Be it the Kissan Morcha -the Farmers struggle on the borders of Delhi or the absolutely revolutionary philanthropic effort of providing make-shift “Oxygen Langar” on the roads and verandahs of Gurdwaras, in the even to failure of the system to provide this basic life-support in hospitals and care centres, this egalitarian innovation by the Sikhs, without prompting by anyone, coming straight from their hearts, influenced by the teachings of the Gurus to have precept and practice on par, can be seen as a pinnacle of innovation.

Innovation is not just related to technology or digitization. It is an evolving tool to respond to the needs of society and create a solution.  The Oxygen Langar is one such breakthrough innovation that proved that the basis of solution need not be complex design or technology-driven or research-based. The Ghaziabad Gurdwara leadership set in motion a simple technique emulated all over Delhi and various parts of India. The royalty that they won for their innovation was the blessings of those cured and the hearts they won for the Sikh community.

Similar was the case of many other organisations which contributed immensely beyond the call of duty. True innovators are selfless because they see the use of their innovation for society. It could be as simple as the invention of the ballpoint pen or even better the gel-based pen over the ink pen, which innovation has benefitted millions. 

US-based Gurtej Singh Sandhu has more patents than Thomas Alva Edison. The Sikh writer and theologian -Bhai Vir Singh raised the Punjabi language to a literary level, hitherto not attained. Narinder Singh Kapany developed the optic fibre, et al. 

With massive opportunities knocking on our doors, the resolute and enterprising spirit of the Sikhs, with their never-say-die attitude will certainly raise the benchmarks never before attained through creative and socially responsible innovation.

Ti­tle im­age cour­tesy: Inc.com

Harpreet Kaur Ahluwalia is a corporate coach and mentor, a major in Economics, a renowned public speaker on corporate affairs and an expert advisor in Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, Relationship Management and Adolescence challenges. She is the wife of late Kamal Jit Ahluwalia, a persona par excellence snatched from us by Covid19-related lack of treatment in Delhi.