Mimetic Innovation: How Imitation Drives Human Originality and Industry Transformation
When we talk about human originality, we often imagine sparks of genius appearing out of thin air. But from what I’ve seen throughout my career, the truth is different: humans are built to imitate. We learn, adapt, and innovate by watching others. This is what I call mimetic innovation.
Humans Are Built to Imitate
Back in 1961, philosopher René Girard introduced the concept of mimetic desire, which explains why we don’t always know what we want on our own. Instead, we copy the desires of others. You can see this everywhere from industries and politics to entertainment and even kids at play. The moment someone shows interest in an object or idea, its value spreads like wildfire.
I’ve experienced this firsthand. I once watched kids compete over a simple toy bulldozer, and it hit me: desire isn’t intrinsic, it's social. Even in my own career, I entered accounting not because I loved it, but because I thought it was the path I was supposed to want. Mimetic desire shaped my journey long before I truly understood my passions.
From Desire to Innovation
But imitation doesn’t stop at desire; it drives innovation. That’s where mimetic innovation comes in. One person or company introduces an idea, others copy and adapt it, and soon, industries evolve.
Take the PayPal Mafia as an example. A group of former PayPal employees went on to launch companies like Tesla, LinkedIn, and YouTube. One pocket of innovation set off a ripple that changed the entire tech world. Or look at Steph Curry. His three-point shooting didn’t just change basketball, it redefined the way the game is played. Kids everywhere copied his style, and soon the sport itself had evolved.
Innovation spreads not through isolated genius, but through networks of imitation.
The Modern Example: NFTs and Digital Culture
The rise of NFTs is another great example. People didn’t buy NFTs just for digital ownership they bought into the community, identity, and culture they represented. The real value wasn’t in the pixels, it was in the social proof and shared meaning. Mimetic desire turned NFTs from digital files into a cultural movement.
Cultural and Industry Transformations Through Mimetic Innovation
Steph Curry’s influence on basketball proves how a single innovator can transform culture. His style didn’t just inspire, it created new standards that spread everywhere. Innovation isn’t only technological; it’s cultural, fueled by imitation and aspiration.
How Organizations Can Harness Mimetic Innovation
I believe companies can unlock incredible creativity if they understand mimetic innovation. Here are three key strategies I use:
Market Innovators: Highlight innovators’ work to inspire others.
Share Innovations Openly: Encourage transparency so ideas spread faster.
Reward Both Success and Failure: Innovation comes with risk. Recognizing attempts as much as wins builds a culture of experimentation.
When companies do this, they create a feedback loop. The desire to innovate grows as recognition spreads, embedding contagious creativity into the culture itself.
Final Thoughts
Innovation isn’t a solo act. It’s social, contagious, and built on imitation. By understanding mimetic desire and applying mimetic innovation, we can better navigate human behavior, market trends, and organizational culture.
For me, the big takeaway is this: the key isn’t to resist copying, it's to harness it. Because when we do, we unlock new opportunities, evolve industries, and push culture forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 - What is innovation and imitation?
Innovation is about creating or discovering new opportunities, but it usually comes with higher effort and cost. Imitation skips that heavy lifting by copying proven ideas, products, or methods. Both play a role in progress innovation sparks change, while imitation spreads it widely.
2 - What are the benefits of imitation?
Imitation is one of the fastest ways to learn. From childhood, we copy movements, speech, and behaviors to develop skills. For adults and businesses too, imitation accelerates learning, reduces trial-and-error, and helps adapt successful practices in new situations.
3 - What is the difference between originality and innovation?
Originality means coming up with something completely new and unique, often just as an idea. Innovation takes those creative ideas and turns them into practical solutions, products, or processes that people can actually use and benefit from in everyday life.
4 - What are the advantages of imitative entrepreneurship?
Imitative entrepreneurship reduces risks because the business model is already proven. It saves time, reaches customers faster, and avoids mistakes early innovators made. This approach helps entrepreneurs refine their offerings and build stronger customer relationships.
5 - Why is innovation important even when imitating a successful business?
Even when a company imitates, innovation helps it stand out. Quickly adopting new technologies signals creativity and leadership, building customer trust and boosting sales. This way, fast followers can catch up with first movers while still creating value of their own.
About the Author:
Shawn Kanungo is a globally recognized disruption strategist and keynote speaker who helps organizations adapt to change and leverage disruptive thinking. Named one of the "Best New Speakers" by the National Speakers Bureau, Shawn has spoken at some of the world's most innovative organizations, including IBM, Walmart, and 3M. His expertise in digital disruption strategies helps leaders navigate transformation and build resilience in an increasingly uncertain business environment.