Innovation has gained a sort-of mystical aura in our world. Move fast and break stuff. We recognize and lionize innovators in just about every way possible. The result is a general attitude of innovate or die—if you cannot innovate, then you will not progress in your career or life. Maybe it's time to take a step back and bust some of the innovation myths created by this near idolization of innovation.

You can't innovate where you are. Reality: innovation is not tied to a particular place and time. "But I work for an enterprise that only uses vendor gear... Maybe if I worked for a vendor, or was deeply involved in open source..." Innovation isn't just about building new products! You can innovate by designing a simpler network that meets business needs, or by working with your vendor on testing a potential new product. Ninety percent of innovation is just paying attention to problems, along with a sense of what is "too complex," or where things might be easier.