---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Innovation tends to come in two flavors…"
description: "\"“Innovation tends to come in two flavors: (1) sudden and unexpected, and (2) planned, yet doggedly obtained.”\" — Randy Bartlett"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57d/randy-bartlett-57417_innovation_innovation-tends-to-come-in-two-flavors_1862652.jpg"
---

#  Innovation tends to come in two flavors: (1) sudden and…

![“Innovation tends to come in two flavors: (1) sudden and unexpected, and (2) planned, yet doggedly obtained.” quote by Randy Bartlett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57d/randy-bartlett-57417_innovation_innovation-tends-to-come-in-two-flavors_1862652.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57d/randy-bartlett-57417_innovation_innovation-tends-to-come-in-two-flavors_1862652.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57d/randy-bartlett-57417_innovation_innovation-tends-to-come-in-two-flavors_1862652.jpg)

> ““Innovation tends to come in two flavors: (1) sudden and unexpected, and (2) planned, yet doggedly obtained.””

[Randy Bartlett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-bartlett/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Innovation appears either as a sudden surprise or as a steady, determined effort.

**In simple terms:** Innovation is sudden or planned.

Key Takeaway

Balance spontaneity with persistence.

Themes

innovation creativity planning serendipity

Mood

inspirational analytical

Type

strategic creative

When to use this quote

- product launches
- research projects
- startup pivots
- creative brainstorming

Key Concepts

disruptive thinking incremental development

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you foster both surprise and discipline?
- Which style suits your field best?

A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on surprise can neglect systematic work.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Innovation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation/)

## Related quotes

> [Innovation tends to be quite siloed in most organizations. There is usually a group over in one corner charged with innovation rather than making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynne-doughtie/innovation-tends-to-be-quite-siloed-in-most-organizations-there-is/)

[Lynne Doughtie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynne-doughtie/)

> [“Cross-domain innovation tends to produce strong, defensible competitive advantage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sramana-mitra/cross-domain-innovation-tends-to-produce-strong-defensible/)

Sramana Mitra

> [We're focused on providing innovations in software, driving the continuous improvement for a much better experience, and there's a lot going on here that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/we-re-focused-on-providing-innovations-in-software-driving-the/)

[Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/)

> [“Some innovations just don’t attract enough economic or social demand: just as supersonic flight and manned space flight stagnated after the 1970s, today (in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-j-rees/some-innovations-just-don-t-attract-enough-economic-or-social-demand/)

Martin J. Rees

> [I'd take garbage, and I'd glue them together and create inventions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-makosinski/i-d-take-garbage-and-i-d-glue-them-together-and-create-inventions/)

[Ann Makosinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-makosinski/)

> [All of the barriers to innovation in the energy sector are arguments for a big commitment to public investment. Only the public sector can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nordhaus/all-of-the-barriers-to-innovation-in-the-energy-sector-are-arguments/)

[Ted Nordhaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nordhaus/)

> [We have to be innovative, we have to be fresh, we have to be new. People are counting on that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-barthel/we-have-to-be-innovative-we-have-to-be-fresh-we-have-to-be-new-people/)

[Sarah Barthel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-barthel/)

> [Why is it that, when we want to think outside the proverbial box, we often put ourselves in one? We gather our team in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-best/why-is-it-that-when-we-want-to-think-outside-the-proverbial-box-we/)

[Charles Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-best/)

> [Real breakthroughs are not found because you want to develop some new technology, but because you are curious and want to find out how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-zeilinger/real-breakthroughs-are-not-found-because-you-want-to-develop-some-new/)

[Anton Zeilinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-zeilinger/)

> [I have tremendous admiration for companies with the kind of pioneering spirit and innovation eBay has demonstrated from day one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-hammer/i-have-tremendous-admiration-for-companies-with-the-kind-of/)

[Bonnie Hammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-hammer/)

> [“Incrementalism never allows innovation to flourish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-ratna/incrementalism-never-allows-innovation-to-flourish/)

[Abhishek Ratna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-ratna/)

> [“In the innovation age customer experience is key. Your impression defines their expression”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fela-durotoye/in-the-innovation-age-customer-experience-is-key-your-impression/)

[Fela Durotoye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fela-durotoye/)

> [I believe that one defines oneself by reinvention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-believe-that-one-defines-oneself-by-reinvention/)

[Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/)

> [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/)

[Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/)

> [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/)

[Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/)

## More by Randy Bartlett

> [“opinion-based decision making, statistical malfeasance, and counterfeit analysis are pandemic. We are swimming in make-believe analytics.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-bartlett/opinion-based-decision-making-statistical-malfeasance-and-counterfeit/)

[Randy Bartlett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-bartlett/)

> [“Corporations will continue to be awash in dirty data and filthy information.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-bartlett/corporations-will-continue-to-be-awash-in-dirty-data-and-filthy/)

[Randy Bartlett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-bartlett/)

> [“Most people use statistics the way a drunkard uses a lamp post, more for support than illumination.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-bartlett/most-people-use-statistics-the-way-a-drunkard-uses-a-lamp-post-more/)

[Randy Bartlett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-bartlett/)

> [“All revolutions are impossible till they happen, then they become inevitable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-bartlett/all-revolutions-are-impossible-till-they-happen-then-they-become/)

[Randy Bartlett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-bartlett/)

> [“Speed is the thing.13 We prefer a team that has a relative speed advantage over other virtues.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-bartlett/speed-is-the-thing-13-we-prefer-a-team-that-has-a-relative-speed/)

[Randy Bartlett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-bartlett/)

[Explore all 6 Randy Bartlett quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-bartlett/)

## More Innovation quotes

> [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/)

[Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/)

> [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/)

[Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/)

> [I believe that one defines oneself by reinvention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-believe-that-one-defines-oneself-by-reinvention/)

[Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/)

> [“In the innovation age customer experience is key. Your impression defines their expression”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fela-durotoye/in-the-innovation-age-customer-experience-is-key-your-impression/)

[Fela Durotoye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fela-durotoye/)

> [“Incrementalism never allows innovation to flourish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-ratna/incrementalism-never-allows-innovation-to-flourish/)

[Abhishek Ratna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-ratna/)

> [I have tremendous admiration for companies with the kind of pioneering spirit and innovation eBay has demonstrated from day one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-hammer/i-have-tremendous-admiration-for-companies-with-the-kind-of/)

[Bonnie Hammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-hammer/)

> [Real breakthroughs are not found because you want to develop some new technology, but because you are curious and want to find out how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-zeilinger/real-breakthroughs-are-not-found-because-you-want-to-develop-some-new/)

[Anton Zeilinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-zeilinger/)

> [Why is it that, when we want to think outside the proverbial box, we often put ourselves in one? We gather our team in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-best/why-is-it-that-when-we-want-to-think-outside-the-proverbial-box-we/)

[Charles Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-best/)

> [We have to be innovative, we have to be fresh, we have to be new. People are counting on that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-barthel/we-have-to-be-innovative-we-have-to-be-fresh-we-have-to-be-new-people/)

[Sarah Barthel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-barthel/)

> [All of the barriers to innovation in the energy sector are arguments for a big commitment to public investment. Only the public sector can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nordhaus/all-of-the-barriers-to-innovation-in-the-energy-sector-are-arguments/)

[Ted Nordhaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nordhaus/)

> [I'd take garbage, and I'd glue them together and create inventions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-makosinski/i-d-take-garbage-and-i-d-glue-them-together-and-create-inventions/)

[Ann Makosinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-makosinski/)

> [“Some innovations just don’t attract enough economic or social demand: just as supersonic flight and manned space flight stagnated after the 1970s, today (in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-j-rees/some-innovations-just-don-t-attract-enough-economic-or-social-demand/)

Martin J. Rees

> [We're focused on providing innovations in software, driving the continuous improvement for a much better experience, and there's a lot going on here that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/we-re-focused-on-providing-innovations-in-software-driving-the/)

[Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/)

> [Other things being equal, it is the person who can lift his work up to the plane of the intuitional and inspiration who achieves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanwood-cobb/other-things-being-equal-it-is-the-person-who-can-lift-his-work-up-to/)

Stanwood Cobb

> [Let art, then, imitate nature, find what she desires, and follow as she directs. For in invention nature is never last, education never first;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/let-art-then-imitate-nature-find-what-she-desires-and-follow-as-she/)

[Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/)

[Browse all 4,437 Innovation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Innovation tends to come in two flavors: (1) sudden and unexpected, and (2) planned, yet doggedly obtained.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Randy Bartlett"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-bartlett/innovation-tends-to-come-in-two-flavors-1-sudden-and-unexpected-and-2/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Innovation"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-bartlett/innovation-tends-to-come-in-two-flavors-1-sudden-and-unexpected-and-2/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57d/randy-bartlett-57417_innovation_innovation-tends-to-come-in-two-flavors_1862652.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57d/randy-bartlett-57417_innovation_innovation-tends-to-come-in-two-flavors_1862652.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57d/randy-bartlett-57417_innovation_innovation-tends-to-come-in-two-flavors_1862652.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Innovation tends to come in two flavors: (1) sudden and unexpected, and (2) planned, yet doggedly obtained.” — Randy Bartlett",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Randy Bartlett",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-bartlett/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Innovation tends to come in two...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-bartlett/innovation-tends-to-come-in-two-flavors-1-sudden-and-unexpected-and-2/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-bartlett/innovation-tends-to-come-in-two-flavors-1-sudden-and-unexpected-and-2/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```