Paradox<\/b><\/p>\n
An innovation theory meta-paradox currently reigns: while innovation theory proclaims creativity is often developed on the fringes, innovation theory is still dominated by white men both through its praised exemplars (Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg) and theorists (Buchanan, Brown, Kelley, Rogers and other names unique to that circle). I want to be sure to include the voices of women and ethnic minorities in my work both out of a sense of justice, but also heeding innovation theory knowing that the next development in innovation studies will most likely come from such a voice.<\/span><\/p>\n Other than the anecdotal evidence of the Elon Musks and Jeff Bezoses of the domain (Forbes’s tie for most innovative leader of 2019), consider the following:<\/span><\/p>\n At the same time:<\/span><\/p>\n As one innovation theorist puts it, \u201cIf we want more and better innovation in our firms and across our economy then we have to face up to the innovation gender gap and find innovative ways to remove it\u201d (Sloane).<\/span><\/p>\n Possibility<\/b><\/p>\n The myth of the lone genius is widely debunked at this point. The future of innovating around the world\u2019s most complex problems will entail radical collaboration. The traits that will be championed, praised, and sought after will be empathy (a deep understanding of the human condition and need), the ability to collaborate, and nuanced communication. I am going to risk here by making some generalizations about the genders here. I believe that the needed traits are begging for women to take the helm and lead a culture marked by empathy, collaboration and communication. The maverick or cowboy approach to the male-dominated innovation sector is a bygone era, and it is time for a reimagined future.<\/span><\/p>\n Prophetic Call<\/b><\/p>\n Christianity contains the resources to live out this call both as Christian leaders in the \u201csecular\u201d workplace and within Christian organizations. Though Christianity has its own tainted history with gender equality, authors like Katia Adams and Lucy Peppiatt give hope for a mutualistic future. It will take a rebuilding of the ruins, to borrow Adams\u2019s extended metaphor.<\/span><\/p>\n Peppiatt also provides a helpful metaphor for creative endeavors pointing out that the Father-Son language within the Trinity is a \u201crich and generative metaphor for God\u201d (23).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When used of male and female relations, creation – procreation most obviously – and other creative activity is a result of the equal work of men and women. In other words, the generative work of innovation for the common good is at its best when men and women are bringing all they are as equals.<\/span><\/p>\n While these authors focus on leadership within marriage and the church, their principles can easily be extended to other domains and institutions. Adams makes the case for men needing gender equality, not just women:<\/span><\/p>\n Not only does this significantly impact the women in the church, but if it is true that God saw that it was \u2018not good\u2019 for Adam to be alone and that he would need a suitable counterpart to achieve all that he was made for, then undermining women\u2019s roles in the body of Christ has severe repercussions for our men too. In that case, renewing our minds around God\u2019s intention when He made Eve is neither a women\u2019s issue nor following a feminist agenda. It is crucial to the destiny of men for women to understand who they really are (and vice versa)… (29).<\/span><\/p>\n These authors are amazingly economical and persuasive in building their arguments. With a command of biblical languages, nuance, and expert-level walkthrough of key texts, Adams and Peppiatt build a compelling case for gender equality. The challenge for these authors specifically and mutualists\/egalitarians generally is that in the process of arguing for equality in the genders, it becomes challenging to distinguish God-given, differing traits of the two genders. I commend Larry Crabb\u2019s <\/span>Fully Alive: A Biblical Vision of Gender that Frees Men and Women to Live Beyond Stereotypes <\/span><\/i>as a complement to these texts as a brilliant attempt to address the differences in gender in a mutualistic framework. (Teaser: It is about revealing God by the way we relate where men are characterised by \u201cmoving\u201d and women by \u201cinviting.\u201d)<\/span><\/p>\n Everyone benefits from gender equality: women need it, men need it, the church needs it, and the world needs it. It\u2019s the same for innovation. Women need to be platformed in innovative companies and the way paved for STEM education and other areas dominated by men; Men need to learn from the relational proficiencies of women (among other things); Institutions become more innovative and benefit from more equality among the gender both in culture and \u201cthe bottom line;\u201d And the victims and those in need due to society\u2019s most pressing and systemic problems are at stake in narrowing this gap.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n —-<\/span><\/p>\n Abigail Hess, \u201cNew research suggests innovation is 6 times higher at companies where men and women are treated most equally,\u201d <\/span>CNBC<\/span><\/i>, accessed March 17 2020, <\/span>https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2019\/03\/08\/research-finds-that-companies-with-gender-equity-are-more-innovative.html<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Paul Sloane, \u201cThe Innovation Gender Gap,\u201d <\/span>Destination Innovation,<\/span><\/i> accessed March 17 2020, <\/span>https:\/\/www.destination-innovation.com\/the-innovation-gender-gap\/<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Sophia Belghiti-Mahut, Anne-Laurence Lafont, and Ouidad Yousfi, \u201cGender Gap in Innovation: A Confused Link?\u201d, <\/span>Journal of Innovation Economics & Management<\/span><\/i>, vol. 19, no. 1, 2016, pp. 159-177.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWorld\u2019s Top 50 Innovators 2019,\u201d <\/span>Codex<\/span><\/i>, accessed March 17, 2020,. <\/span>https:\/\/www.codex.com\/worlds-top-50-innovators-2019\/<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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