The Absurdity of Innovation
When Albert Einstein said, “If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it,” he wasn’t joking. Many of the world’s greatest breakthroughs sounded ridiculous at first.
- A horseless carriage? Absurd.
- A light bulb that lasts for hours? Absurd.
- Talking to someone across the world through a small device in your pocket? Absurd.
Until they weren’t.
What sets great businesses apart is their ability to embrace absurdity long enough to test, refine, and prove ideas. Yet most organizations kill bold ideas too quickly, dismissing them as unrealistic.
Why We Resist Absurd Ideas
- Fear of Failure
Leaders worry about wasted time, money, or reputation.
- Comfort in Familiarity
Humans naturally prefer what we know. Change feels threatening.
- Cultural Conditioning
From school onward, we’re taught to avoid looking foolish. By adulthood, most people have learned to silence unconventional thinking.
- Short-Term Metrics
Executives focus on immediate ROI, leaving no room for ideas that need time to develop.
Ironically, by avoiding absurd ideas, companies avoid the very breakthroughs that could secure their future.
Case in Point: Henry Ford’s Faster Horse
Henry Ford famously said: “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” Customers rarely envision breakthroughs—they describe incremental improvements to what they already know.
Ford’s leap wasn’t in delivering what customers asked for. It was in imagining something absurd—a car for the masses. That leap reshaped industries and societies.
Case in Point: Airbnb’s Couch-Surfing “Absurdity”
When Airbnb launched, the idea of strangers sleeping in your home for money sounded ridiculous. Investors laughed. Hotels dismissed them. Today, Airbnb is worth billions, having disrupted the hospitality industry.
The absurd idea was the seed of transformation.
The Business Value of Absurd Ideas
- Unlocks Distinction: Competitors copy safe ideas. Absurd ones create new markets.
- Drives Loyalty: Customers love companies that surprise and delight.
- Attracts Talent: Bold organizations inspire employees who want to make a difference.
- Future-Proofs Business: Absurd ideas anticipate tomorrow’s needs, not today’s trends.
BCG found that companies that embrace risk and experimentation in innovation are 4.5x more likely to be market leaders.
How to Harness Absurdity Without Chaos
- Create a Safe Space
Encourage ideas without judgment in early stages. Absurdity is often the spark of brilliance.
- Reframe the Question
Use “How might we” to turn impossibilities into possibilities.
- Prototype Quickly
Don’t debate whether an idea is “too crazy.” Test it. See what happens.
- Balance with Filters
Not every absurd idea is viable. Establish criteria for alignment with mission, customer needs, and scalability.
- Reward Courage
Celebrate employees who think differently, even when ideas don’t work out.
Actionable Takeaways
- Remember Einstein: absurdity signals potential.
- Don’t dismiss ideas too quickly—explore them.
- Use reframing questions to expand possibilities.
- Create a process for testing bold ideas.
- Build a culture where absurdity is seen as a gift, not a liability.
FAQs
Aren’t absurd ideas just a waste of time?
Not if managed correctly. Most will fail, but the few that succeed transform industries.
How do we separate absurd-but-promising from absurd-and-useless?
Prototype quickly. Testing is the only way to know.
How do I convince skeptical stakeholders?
Remind them that nearly every breakthrough idea in history—from electricity to the internet—sounded absurd at first.
Conclusion
Every breakthrough begins as an absurdity. Leaders who dismiss unconventional ideas ensure mediocrity. Leaders who create space for absurdity invite greatness.
Einstein was right: if the idea isn’t absurd at first, it probably isn’t innovative enough.
