Building something that helps people understand themselves better has always excited me. So when Stephen Parkins and I kept perceiving the same patterns in our work with innovation leaders, we knew we had to do something about it.
We've worked with bold strategists who chase moonshots. Scrappy builders who turn ideas into systems. Data-driven detectives who find gold in spreadsheets. And yes, corporate pirates who navigate organizations like seasoned sailors.
Each type of Innovation Strategist brings something unique to the table. Some lead with vision. Others crunch numbers until patterns emerge. The problem? While most intuitively know know which type they are, they may not have the words to define their style or talk about their preferences.
That's when we decided to create our Innovation Strategist assessment.
The Pattern Behind Innovation Strategists
After years of consulting with companies on innovation strategy, certain behaviors kept showing up. The visionaries always pushed for breakthrough thinking. The data folks wanted proof before moving forward. The culture builders focused on getting everyone aligned.
These weren't random differences. They were systematic approaches to innovation challenges.
Stephen and I started mapping these patterns. We identified seven distinct types of Innovation Strategists, each with their own strengths and blind spots. The Moonshot Architect thinks in paradigm shifts. The Data Whisperer translates complex analytics into compelling stories. The Innovation Factory Builder creates repeatable systems.
But knowing the types wasn't enough. People needed a way to discover their own profile.
Building the Assessment
Creating a good personality assessment is harder than it looks. We didn't want another fluffy quiz that gives everyone feel-good results. This needed to be practical. Actionable. Something Innovation Strategists could use immediately.
We spent weeks crafting questions that would reveal natural tendencies without being obvious. How do you respond when a breakthrough idea lacks supporting data? What energizes you most about innovation projects? How do you handle stakeholder resistance?
The goal was simple: four minutes to complete, seven possible types, no fluff.
Each result includes strengths, possible blind spots, and most natural innovation levers. We wanted people to walk away knowing not just what type they are, but how to leverage that knowledge.
The Response Surprised Everyone
We launched the Innovation Strategist assessment on LinkedIn with a simple post. "Curious what you'll get?" we asked. "A Moonshot Architect? Data Whisperer? Culture Catalyst?"
The response was immediate.
Felix got Data Whisperer. Charlotte discovered she's an Innovation Archaeologist. Queta, Stephen, and I all got Innovation Factory Builder, which led to some interesting discussions about whether we're really that systematic.
Pamela noted how the Innovation Archaeologist profile resonated with her approach of studying gaps and finding what's missing. That's exactly what we hoped for: people seeing themselves clearly in the results.
What the Data Tells Us
In just 48 hours, we had over 40 submissions. The distribution has been fascinating to watch.
Innovation Factory Builder ranks highest so far, appearing in about 30% of results. That makes sense given that many Innovation Strategists in corporate environments focus on building scalable systems.
Innovation Archaeologist comes in second at around 21%. These are the folks who methodically uncover patterns and opportunities that others miss.
The other types - Moonshot Architect, Culture Catalyst, Data Whisperer, Calculated Rebel, and Corporate Pirate - are more evenly distributed.
Why This Matters for Innovation Strategists
Understanding your Innovation Strategist type isn't just interesting. It's practical.
When you know you're a Moonshot Architect, you can better communicate with Innovation Factory Builders who need more structure. If you're a Data Whisperer, you'll recognize when Culture Catalysts need the human story behind your analytics.
Stephen mentioned this in our follow-up discussion. The assessment helps Innovation Strategists play to their strengths instead of fighting their instincts.
The Bigger Picture
Innovation isn't one-size-fits-all. The best innovation teams combine different types of Innovation Strategists who complement each other's approaches.
Some companies need Data Whisperers to make sense of market signals. Others need Corporate Pirates to move fast in uncertain territories. Most need a mix of Innovation Strategist types working together.
Our assessment gives people language for these differences. Instead of assuming everyone should approach innovation the same way, teams can now optimize for their collective strengths.
What's Next
The early response tells us we're onto something important. Innovation Strategists want to understand their natural approach and how to work better with others.
We're already thinking about the next version. Maybe team reports that show how different Innovation Strategist types complement each other. Or deeper dives into how each type can develop their weaker areas.
For now, we're just excited that so many Innovation Strategists are discovering their profiles and sharing their results. That's how real change happens - one person at a time, understanding themselves a little better.
See which type of Innovation Strategist you are.
Then tag your team and compare results. That's where the real conversations begin.
