Culture as product in innovation

HopeLab is a curious place.

The California-based nonprofit researches and designs video games and other technology products for kids. But they don’t create ones that involve sitting on a couch, staring at a screen, zapping warriors or aliens. Instead, HopeLab’s games help motivate players to take on healthy habits, to be more physically active (Zamzee) and even help fight cancer (Re-Mission 2).

“We look at our culture as a product, just like Re-Mission and Zamzee are products,” says Pat Christen, president and CEO of HopeLab. “And we believe a culture of curiosity is key to innovation.”

Their secret sauce to a culture of curiosity:

  1. Encourage inquiry
  2. Write all agendas as questions
  3. Avoid blame
  4. Assume all learning as good

via Four Ways to Cultivate a Culture of Curiosity