Innovation Requires Freedom
Hi, I’m Oscar, one of the co-founders here at Oversai.
Sometimes we take our freedom for granted, but when we feel that freedom is taken from us, we become unhappy. Everything we do without the freedom to express ourselves loses its power and value. I want to share the connection between freedom and innovation and explain how having our freedom constrained by external factors can negatively impact our ability to create, build, and innovate.
What is freedom
Freedom, in essence, is the ability to act, speak, think, and choose without external constraints. It’s a fundamental aspect of being human and a key source of our happiness.
The link between freedom and innovation
Innovation thrives on freedom. When external pressures limit how we think and act, they confine us—sometimes even trapping our minds. These constraints restrict our ability to solve problems creatively and suppress ideas that don’t conform to established norms. In the business world, such limitations often come from external forces like:
Investors
Board members
The Market
“Leaders” fearing to be overshadowed
I have personally felt the impact of having my freedom constrained by those forces, and it was definitely an unpleasant experience. If you find yourself in a similar situation, it’s important to take ownership and take action to protect and fight for your freedom.
Breaking through the constraints
Recognizing freedom’s importance is the first step. Taking action to preserve it requires courage and can sometimes come at a cost. However, the rewards are immeasurable.
Here are some ways to reclaim your freedom:
Resign from restrictive environments
Tune out excessive external pressures
Embrace your unique perspective
Explore your originality
At Oversai, we actively fight for our freedom every day by:
Not blindly following all advice
Challenging imposed norms
Saying no to investors
Forging our own path
If you’ve achieved a level of freedom that brings you joy, we’d love to hear your story. If you’re still on that journey, we hope you find your path to freedom and experience the benefits of working without unnecessary constraints.
Innovation flourishes in an environment where we are free to think and act differently.