Dear Idea Guy,

Our leadership team keeps talking about “being more innovative,” but no one knows what that actually means. We’ve got meetings full of buzzwords but no real movement. How do we turn the talk into action?

– Frustrated in FinTech

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Dear Frustrated,

This is one of the most common questions leaders ask. “Be more innovative” sounds visionary, but without definition and structure, it becomes frustratingly vague. The result? Confusion, stalled initiatives, and disengaged teams.

Innovation isn’t a moment of inspiration—it’s a process. And that process begins with identifying the right problem to solve.

Try this approach:

1. Clarify the challenge. Ask: What’s working? What’s not? What’s changing?
2. Frame a real problem. Narrow your focus to a specific issue that matters.
3. Engage your team. Give them the tools and time to explore meaningful solutions.

Innovation doesn’t begin with ideas—it begins with questions. And the most important one is: What’s the real problem we’re trying to solve?

— Kevin Popovic, The Idea Guy®

 

Read this column on San Diego Business Journal.

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WHAT’S YOUR PROBLEM? is a weekly column by Kevin Popovic, The Idea Guy®—a trusted advisor to CEOs and leaders across industries. Each edition answers real-world business challenges with clear, creative insights you can use to think differently and lead confidently.

Got a problem worth solving? Send your question to WYP@TheIdeaGuy.us – it could be featured in an upcoming column.