You’re an innovator.
Perhaps you don’t have that title on a business card, and maybe you don’t even believe it’s true. But you are. Because an innovator isn’t a hero in a lab coat, or a CEO with a billion-dollar budget. An innovator is just a person brave enough to try something new.
In our latest podcast episode, we spoke with the multi-talented Rachelle Dené Poth, an educator, author, and attorney who challenges this very idea. She argues that innovation isn’t about being grand or complex; it’s about being brave enough to take a single, slightly uncomfortable step. It’s not a scary, far-off concept; it’s just a shift in mindset.
The First Step of an Innovator
For Rachelle, her journey didn’t start with a flashy new app or a complex algorithm. It started with a simple, yet courageous, decision: moving the desks in her classroom. For years, she had followed a traditional teacher-led approach, but a growing discomfort told her there had to be a better way. She wanted her students to collaborate more, to have more access to her and each other, but the traditional classroom setup wasn’t allowing for that.
This single act, rearranging furniture, was her first real step toward true innovation. It wasn’t about the technology; it was about changing a long-held belief and embracing a new mindset. It was a willingness to be vulnerable and admit, “I don’t know if this will work.”
And as she quickly discovered, it was precisely what her students needed.
Innovation Isn’t About Tech, It’s About Mindset
This initial experiment taught Rachelle a profound lesson: the innovator mindset is what matters most. She began to prioritize curiosity, flexibility, and a willingness to take risks. For her, true innovation came from asking a question like, “What’s one small thing I can change to create a better outcome?”
She learned that a new mindset can be more powerful than any new technology. The tools are just vehicles; the real magic happens when you give students the freedom to create, question, and explore in ways that are authentic to them. This is how she’s seen students become genuine entrepreneurs, building their own AI-powered apps and platforms while still in high school, not because they had the best tools, but because they had the freedom to use them.
The Power of Vulnerability and Connection
Another key trait of the innovator mindset is vulnerability. It’s the courage to admit, “I don’t have all the answers,” and try anyway. Rachelle modeled this for her students, and the results were incredible. They felt safe to try new things and, in turn, were more open to sharing their own innovative ideas.
Rachelle recalled a powerful moment where she was able to stop reacting to a student’s behavior and instead take the time to see their unique ideas and interests. That one-on-one conversation was a turning point. It reminded her that the biggest innovations often begin with a human connection. The simple act of seeing another person’s potential and providing the space for it to grow. By focusing on the individual student, she unlocked their potential in a way that technology alone couldn’t.
The Future is Now, and It’s Human
Today’s students are already harnessing AI to build the future. This is the new reality of learning, and it’s not a passing trend. But the real lesson is this: the students who thrive are the ones who are taught to be curious, courageous, and connected.
So, what’s your first step toward innovation? It doesn’t have to be a monumental leap. It could be as simple as changing a routine, trying a new method, or just having a conversation. The real innovator isn’t always the one with the biggest idea, but the one with the courage to try something new, even if it feels a little uncomfortable.
Ready to start your own innovative journey? Listen to the full episode with Rachelle Dené Poth to learn more.
Connect with Rachelle:
🎙️ The full episode is live now! Listen to Rachelle’s insights on innovation and education.
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube
