Train Your Brain to Outthink AI Boost Creativity 40% (2025)
Killer Innovations with Phil McKinney
Harvard neuroscientists confirm: creative thinking uses neural pathways that AI can't replicate – and never will. Hello, I'm Phil McKinney, and welcome to my innovation studio. Welcome to Part 2 of our series, – on strengthening your uniquely human creativity while using AI as a partner, not a replacement. In Part 1, we explored the alarming decline in creative thinking as we've grown dependent on AI. We saw how our ability to solve complex problems without algorithmic assistance has dropped by 30% in just five years, and how this cognitive atrophy affects everyone from students to...
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Train Your Brain to Outthink AI Boost Creativity 40% (2025)
Killer Innovations with Phil McKinney
Harvard neuroscientists confirm: creative thinking uses neural pathways that AI can't replicate – and never will. Hello, I'm Phil McKinney, and welcome to my innovation studio. Welcome to Part 2 of our series, – on strengthening your uniquely human creativity while using AI as a partner, not a replacement. In Part 1, we explored the alarming decline in creative thinking as we've grown dependent on AI. We saw how our ability to solve complex problems without algorithmic assistance has dropped by 30% in just five years, and how this cognitive atrophy affects everyone from students to...
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Your Brain on AI: The Shocking Decline in Creative Thinking (2025)
Killer Innovations with Phil McKinney
Our ability to solve complex problems without AI has plummeted 30% in just five years. That's not just a statistic – it's the sound of your brain cells surrendering. We are announcing a new series we are calling – Creative Thinking in the AI Age – on strengthening your uniquely human creativity while using AI as a partner, not a replacement. Today, we will explore how AI dependency is creating a pandemic of reduced creative thinking and why this matters more than you might realize. Look around. We've all seen it – colleagues endlessly prompting AI for answers, friends asking...
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5 Questions that Unlock Breakthrough Innovation
Killer Innovations with Phil McKinney
In 2007, two designers struggling to pay rent in San Francisco had a seemingly simple thought: "What if people could rent out their spare rooms to travelers?" This question—posed by Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia—sparked what would become , a company now valued at over $100 billion that has fundamentally reshaped how millions of people travel. The power of their question wasn't just in identifying a market gap. It challenged fundamental assumptions about hospitality, property use, and trust between strangers. It wasn't just incremental—it was transformative. And here lies the innovation...
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How to Improve Strategic Thinking Skills
Killer Innovations with Phil McKinney
Most people react to change. They adapt, adjust, and scramble to keep up. But a small group sees change coming. They prepare for it, shape it, and position themselves to win. Their edge? Strategic thinking skills. In this article, you'll learn six powerful strategic thinking skills and five proven exercises to sharpen your thinking, decision, and act. You'll move from reacting to shaping. From being caught off guard to staying three moves ahead. Let's build the mental toolkit that visionary leaders use to navigate uncertainty—and turn disruption into opportunity. What Makes a Mindset...
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5 Critical Thinking Skills for Digital Literacy: Spotting Misinformation & Manipulation
Killer Innovations with Phil McKinney
Your phone pings. A bold headline lights up your screen. A friend shares a "must-see" video. But how do you know what's real? In today's hyperconnected world, critical thinking skills are no longer optional. They're essential tools for digital literacy—your ability to find, verify, and act on information online. Without them, you risk falling into traps laid by misinformation, viral hoaxes, and algorithm-driven manipulation. But with the right mindset and techniques, you can take back control of your digital experience. Let's explore the five essential skills that will strengthen your...
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7 Physical Thinking Tools That Will Improve Your Creativity More Than AI
Killer Innovations with Phil McKinney
In a world obsessed with digital tools and AI-generated solutions, it's easy to forget the original engines of creative transformation—our hands, our senses, and the objects we manipulate. Sure, artificial intelligence can analyze patterns faster than we can blink. But if you're searching for that breakthrough moment that flips a challenge on its head, you're better off reaching for physical thinking tools. These tactile instruments engage your mind in ways algorithms can't, triggering insight through perception rather than prediction. The real secret? These thinking tools aren't new....
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Think Like Bill Gates: The 6-Step System That Built Microsoft and is Changing the World
Killer Innovations with Phil McKinney
What made Microsoft possible? Binary code, four kilobytes of memory, and 10,000 hours of deliberate practice. But what truly set Bill Gates apart was a distinct system for solving problems—a mental algorithm that turned complexity into clarity and chaos into systems. The real genius of Bill Gates isn't just the software he wrote or the companies he built. It's how he thinks. Today, Gates' thinking framework continues to impact global health, education, and innovation through the Gates Foundation. And the best part? You don't need to be a billionaire or a coder to use it. His 6-step system...
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Think Like Steve Jobs: 6 Strategies Behind Billion Dollar Ideas
Killer Innovations with Phil McKinney
Think Like Steve Jobs: 6 Strategies Behind Billion Dollar Idea When you think of game-changing innovation, one name stands above the rest—Steve Jobs. His ability to reimagine entire industries didn’t come from technical know-how alone; his way of thinking truly set him apart. Steve Jobs approached problem-solving and creativity in a way that merged art with technology, bringing human experience to the forefront. Let’s dive into six strategies that defined his success and see how you can apply them to create your billion-dollar ideas. 1. Start with Human Experience, Not Technology ...
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Pay It Forward: How Three Words Created Podcasting's Longest-Running Innovation Show
Killer Innovations with Phil McKinney
Have you ever wondered what it takes to create something that truly lasts? What's the secret to building something that doesn't just survive but grows stronger for decades in our always-changing digital world? The answer might surprise you. It's not about fancy equipment or perfect production. It's not even about having all the answers when you start. It begins with a simple promise to pay it forward. The Bathroom Session That Started It All March 2005. A hotel bathroom at the Marriott in Phoenix. That's where I sat with a basic microphone, nervously recording the first episode of what would...
info_outlineIn the world of technology and innovation, building a model career often means evolving with industry changes, embracing risks, and showing resilience. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Nimrod Ben-Natan, CEO of Harmonic, whose career path is a true model for success in innovation. Starting as a software developer in the mid-90s, Nimrod has led Harmonic through groundbreaking advancements in network virtualization and broadband. Here, he shares his journey and advice for aspiring innovators looking to build their own model careers in tech.
From Software Developer to CEO
Ben-Natan’s career at Harmonic began in 1996 as a software developer, working on solutions for fiber optics and digital video. He transitioned from technical roles into customer-facing and leadership positions, illustrating how a model career involves versatility and a willingness to pivot. Through multiple cycles of industry change, he worked on projects from digital ad insertion to video-on-demand, each requiring a deep understanding of technology and customer needs. This adaptability helped him to rise to his current position, leading the company as it navigates a continually evolving industry.
Embracing Failure as Part of Success
A key turning point for Ben-Natan was Harmonic’s decision to enter the broadband access market with a new hardware approach. However, the project faced significant setbacks, even failing to meet industry standards initially. Instead of abandoning the effort, Ben-Natan and his team pivoted toward a network function virtualization approach, eventually achieving market leadership in this area. This experience highlights a vital component of a model career in innovation: seeing failure as an opportunity to pivot and improve.
"Failure isn't a negative—it's education," I emphasized, aligning with Ben-Natan’s view that resilience and learning from setbacks are essential for long-term success.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Ben-Natan shared insights on how emerging tech professionals can build a model career in today’s rapidly shifting environment. His advice includes:
- Commit to continuous learning: Keep up with evolving skills and industry developments. Staying stagnant can render skills obsolete quickly.
- Foster curiosity: Let your curiosity drive your career path, whether in hardware, software, or another technology area.
- Value in-person connections: Ben-Natan strongly advocates for in-office experiences to gain essential social skills and professional insight, especially for younger professionals.
Ben-Natan also stressed the importance of balancing technical knowledge with an understanding of customer needs, which he believes has been crucial in his model career. By combining technical and customer-facing roles, he gained a 360-degree view of the industry, ultimately guiding him through various high-stakes decisions.
The Long Bet on Innovation
Not every company can maintain a long-term vision, especially regarding risky ventures. Harmonic’s success with network function virtualization took nearly a decade to realize. Yet, the management team’s commitment to a long-term strategy allowed them to weather the uncertainties and ultimately bring innovative products to market. I pointed out that few companies have the patience for a 10-year development process. According to Ben-Natan, Harmonic’s resilience was rooted in a firm conviction that this investment would provide lasting value, positioning the company for industry leadership.
Building Your Model Career in Innovation
If you’re looking to build a model career in innovation, take these lessons from Ben-Natan’s journey:
- Embrace adaptability: Being willing to take on new challenges and pivot when necessary can keep your career aligned with industry shifts.
- Learn from setbacks: Viewing failure as a stepping stone to success is key to resilience.
- Commit to a long-term vision: Companies and individuals can benefit from strategic patience, investing in ideas that may take years to bear fruit.
In today’s tech-driven world, a model career isn’t just about reaching the top—it’s about staying relevant, being open to change, and finding new ways to contribute.