The Innovative Mindset: 5 Behaviors for Accelerating Breakthroughs

Praise for
The Innovative Mindset

"Where we focus our time and energy is critical to our success. This book is a great guide for anyone seeking to behave in a way that transcends fear and fuels progress. An innovative mindset is the key to a happier, more productive, stronger life in and outside of the workplace."
MARCUS BUCKINGHAM, New York Times bestselling author and founder and chairman of TMBC

"John Sweeney has an innovative mindset. I have witnessed it personally. We all would like it. Reading this inspiring book is a great first step."
MARILYN CARLSON NELSON, Former Chairman and CEO, Carlson Cos., Forbes magazine′s one of "The World′s 100 Most Powerful Women"

"Get off your personal stagnation couch and become more innovatively fit with this behavior–based guide from Sweeney and Imaretska. Your creative mind will thank you."
BRANDON ROWBERRY, Vice Chair, Mayo Clinic

"Innovation is such an important part of thriving in today′s business environment. There are many innovation systems and methods available but to get it right you need to focus on the human behaviors. This book truly gets the behavior side of innovation and can help you do the same."
PHIL CORDELL, Global Head, Focused Service and Hampton by Hilton Brand Management, Hilton Worldwide

"Focused on the critically important role that behavior and culture play in innovation, John Sweeney and the Brave New Workshop provide a clear playbook and practical examples of how to develop world class innovation capability in a fun and engaging way. His approach has changed our behaviors and sparked a new conversation around innovation at Ingersoll Rand."
PAUL A. CAMUTI, Senior Vice President of Innovation and Chief Technology Officer, Ingersoll Rand

"I recommend this book to anyone who is looking to achieve professional or personal growth. The Minnesota Timberwolves have partnered with John and Brave New Workshop for many years, and his unique and entertaining approach to business training is unparalleled. From new sales staff to senior executives, John′s creative programs have impacted our employees in many positive ways, helping them to grow in their role, think more innovatively and achieve great results."
CHRIS WRIGHT, President, Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Basketball Team

"If anyone can help you change your mindset, it′s the team of John Sweeney and Elena Imaretska. Through their work with the Brave New Workshop, they break the barriers of innovation and fearlessness. This book is a how to for a brave new YOU."
HARVEY MACKAY, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive

Chapter 1: Behavioral Innovation

Chapter 2: The Brave New Workshop: A Journey of Fear and Discovery

Chapter 3: The Mindset of Discovery: Improvisational Roots

Chapter 4: The Art of Practice

Chapter 5: Mindset of Fear

Chapter 6: Anatomy of the Mindset of Discovery

Chapter 7: Building Your Innovation Fitness Plan

Chapter 8: Listening

Chapter 9: Deferring Judgment

Chapter 10: Declaring

Chapter 11: Reframing

Chapter 12: Jumping In

Chapter 13: Desire for Change

John Sweeney is the co–owner and executive producer of the Brave New Workshop, America′s oldest satirical comedy theatre. He uses his 20+ years of improvisational performance, speaking and training to influence human behavior and to create simple but groundbreaking tools that have ignited cultures of innovative behavior within such companies as Microsoft, PWC, General Mills, and UnitedHealth Group.

Elena Imaretska is vice president of New Products, Partnerships, and Sustainability for the corporate speaking and training business of the Brave New Workshop. She is the architect of the learning model and core curriculum of the organization′s offerings and has spent the past 8 years optimizing the business application of the improvisational approach to innovating, collaborating, and leading.