Our Unleash Your Potential Heroes campaign features inspiring words from University of Auckland Alumni who are using entrepreneurial and innovative mindsets to unleash their potential. This could be in the traditional entrepreneurial route of being a founder, an innovator in an academic or corporate setting, someone who has applied their skills to social or environmental problems, or as an intrapreneur in a corporate setting. 

There is a diverse range of people profiled from every faculty proving that anyone can be innovative and entrepreneurial regardless of their background or line of work. Each and every one of their stories are uniquely compelling and inspiring in their own way, proving that just about anyone can do it!

So if anyone can be an entrepreneur or do innovative things, then what is the secret behind the success of our Innovation Heroes? We have compiled a list of the top five learnings we can take from their stories:

1. Innovation comes from diversity – we all know the age old saying “two heads are better than one”. Surrounding yourself with people from a diverse range of backgrounds will allow you to understand different perspectives, challenge your current way of thinking and utilise the strengths of individuals.
2. You have the ability to change the world for the better – we live in a world with some big, complex issues. Being entrepreneurial and innovative gives you the chance to make a big positive impact on the world we live in. Always be on the look out to do things differently and more effectively.
3. Set your fear aside and go for it! – So many people have great ideas but don’t end up pursuing any of them because of their fear of failure. Action is important, go out and give it a go. If it doesn’t work out pivot and learn from the process.
4. Always be eager to learn and never settle for the way things are – have a relentless curiosity for the world around you and be brave enough to question everything. Constantly ask: Why is it like that? Why can’t we do that? There is no reason to settle for the way things are currently.
5. Change your attitude towards failure by celebrating mistakes –Mistakes are inevitable, accept it, embrace it, but most importantly learn from it! You will waste too much time trying to be perfect, if you fail fast you can accelerate the process to success.

Read our inspiring innovation heroes stories here