Innovation Anecdotes Series

Shawn Callahan

7 October 2009

Innovation is a vital ingredient in high performing learning environments but it’s hard to sustain. Research is telling us that the use of narratives, ie telling stories about innovation is a very effective way to invigorate and stimulate innovative practice.

This online conversation with Shawn Callahan showed how sharing real-life experiences can initiate conversation and inspire innovation. By sharing stories of innovation in action, Shawn started the conversation, asking everyone to consider four questions: 

• What’s most significant about this story? 
• Has anything like this happened in our school? 
• Does this give us any ideas for things to do at our school? 
• What’s our next action and who is energised to make it happen?

About the presenter

Shawn Callahan has more than 15 years experience as a consultant and researcher in the field of knowledge management and is the former knowledge-management practice leader for IBM Australia.