Discovery means seeing, doing, or making something not observed, done, or made before. Historically, I associate discoveries with the individual or small group level of social organization. Discoveries frequently inspire innovation.

Innovation means seeing a problem, process, or object differently and finding a way to solve, do, or make it better. Innovation can arise at any level of organizational complexity: from a solitary breakthrough in personal understanding to the socially constructed movements which leverage tipping points in scientific, philosophical, and cultural transformation. Since the output of innovation is always “better than its predecessor” in some manner which begs to be defined, every cynic is led to conclude that the likelihood a specific innovation is widely hailed as "a discovery" is about comparable to the likelihood the innovation is perceived as a nuisance. Are you a cynic?

My husband snapped this photo shortly after I lost footing and fell down. Although uninjured, I moved more carefully afterward. And I was not the only one who fell; each misstep motivated someone to adapt their speed and stride to walking as the ice required on that particular day. Organizations also fall down, experience setbacks, or move onto unfamiliar turf. Under such circumstance it takes conscious adjustment to align with achieving goals, living underlying values, and fulfilling a shared mission. We are humble enough to understand that you can accomplish this with or without our input but happy to say that we are here if you need us.