In the laudable attempt to simplify innovation,  most innovation gurus have created a kind of  linear process.  It’s typically four or five sequential  steps that follow a similar pattern of problem definition, ideation and finally implementation.  These approaches  are brilliant in that they make the complex understandable and set the foundation for further learning.

But the reality of innovation is a bit more complicated.

A good metaphor can be found the neuroscientist David Eagleman’s enlightening book, Incognito.  It began with the discovery ...