“Waste Not, Want Not” is an adage first popularized by Benjamin Franklin. I first experienced the sage lesson from my mother, who always advised, “Don’t waste.” And, “There’s always something to be thankful for.”

I get the feeling that perennial innovators have wise mothers—and other influencers—who taught them the same lesson.

“Don’t waste.” And, “There’s always something to be thankful for.” These are foundational principles for Serially Successful Intrapreneurs (SSIs). SSIs are people who create new value inside companies by doing new things—or doing things in new ways—and improving the systems in the process of innovating. The secret to their success is putting these principles into practice.

Innovation Rooted in Stewardship

In my soon-to-be-released book, The Power of Hidden Treasures: How to Break Through Growth Barriers, Catapulting Your Business from Surviving to Thriving, you’ll see time and time again how successful innovation is stewarded, and how healthy growth is created by (1) not wasting and (2) appreciating assets in the company’s networks that otherwise go unnoticed, underdeveloped, underutilized, and under-appreciated.

Learn how manufacturing waste from Oreo cookies became a very lucrative line extension. See how well-intentioned—but risky and operationally disruptive—behavior by garbage truck drivers became the key to Waste Management renewing multi-million-dollar contracts with cities across North America. Observe how employees regarded as “diamonds in the rough” became shining catalysts to turn around relationships and projects that were massive in scale, complexity, and impact.

The Three “Ways” of Serially Successful Intrapreneurs

The book reveals three “ways” SSIs follow to transform waste and latent value into real value—and energy to keep innovating and generating new value.

The First Way: The Way of Seeing

The first of the three “ways” is The Way of Seeing. It involves four essential steps:

1. Reframe the Situation

Look for assets and opportunities instead of focusing solely on problems or waste.

2. Surface the Core

Identify the core of the company and the key players involved. Design the innovation to be meaningfully linked to that core.

3. Identify Three Types of Leaders

Spot the formal and informal leaders who will see the opportunity, operationalize the idea into action, and spread the value through various networks.

4. Map the Assets and Opportunities

Track how assets and opportunities evolve as projects progress—then update your map accordingly.

A New Way of Seeing

So, the next time you’re presented with something most people would see as waste—or as tangential to the business—remember Mom’s advice and take up a new Way of Seeing.

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