Hic Sunt Dracones
In medieval times, cartographers would inscribe warnings on uncharted areas of their maps—places where the known world ended, and uncertainty began. “Hic sunt dracones” or “Hic sunt leones” (“Here be dragons” or “Here be lions”) served as both cautionary notes and invitations to the brave. These warnings marked potential dangers but also hinted at untold opportunities for those daring enough to venture into the unknown.
Today, companies embarking on innovation journeys face similar “white spots” on their maps—uncharted territories fraught with ambiguity and risk. Whether it’s a startup launching its first product, a scaleup pushing boundaries, or an established enterprise rethinking its approach, the words “Here be dragons” often echo as a deterrent. And that hesitation is entirely natural.
The mindset required for exploration is fundamentally different from the one needed for execution. Established companies excel at hiring professionals who can refine and replicate processes, deliver results, and improve upon what already works. These are the builders, specialists in optimizing known systems. But when it comes to stepping into the unknown—pursuing innovation—you need something radically different.
The Case for Explorers
To navigate the uncharted, you need a team of explorers. These are the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels—the individuals unafraid to challenge conventions and take risks. Their mission must be clear, but their KPIs cannot be rigid. Why? Because in the realm of exploration, you don’t always know what “gold” looks like—or when you’ll find it. Think of Columbus, who set out searching for the Indies and instead stumbled upon an entirely new continent.
Explorers thrive in the right context: a supportive environment where failure is treated as a learning opportunity, and curiosity is rewarded. They are the ones who can slay your metaphorical dragons and bring back the insights, innovations, and breakthroughs that propel your company forward.
But What About Your Dragons?
Maybe you’re thinking: “I don’t need dragons or explorers. I just want to develop a new product—our first, after years of developing other companies’ solutions.” If that’s the case, consider this analogy: the last time you had a toothache did you visit your family doctor? Probably not. You went to a dentist—a specialist equipped to solve that specific problem.
Similarly, your current teams, no matter how skilled, are specialists within the existing system. They excel at optimizing what already works, but systems naturally reinforce their purpose. As the old saying goes, “The purpose of a system is what it does” (POSIWID). To generate new results, you need a different system—one built for exploration and discovery.
Time to Rewrite the Map and Slay the Dragons
So, what are you waiting for?
Give me your explorers, let’s go hunt some dragons!