Researchers recently discovered evidence of early human innovation dating back to around 320,000 years, about 100,000 years earlier than previous estimates. As part of the Smithsonian Institution’s Human Origins Program, excavations in the Olorgesailie Basin of Southern Kenya resulted in the discovery of advanced tools made of stone and the use of coloring pigments, indicating the presence of complex technological and sociological behaviors. If we look beyond our own species, Homo sapiens, technological innovation dates all the way back to about 1.2 million years ago, when other hominin species crafted large, less intricate handaxes out of stone.

Our prehistoric ancestors wrangled natural resources into materials for hunting, clothing, and nutrition; which in turn created entirely new categories of derivative resources. Raw stones were carved into pointed shapes, which were then elaborately shaved to form sharp cutting devices. These devices became utility knives used to cut portions of food and create clothing from animal skin. Food could then be distributed and consumed in new ways, and the concept of clothing would usher in some sort of prehistoric wearable fashion, like Neanderthal necklaces made out of eagle talons.

Every technological innovation is, in essence, an iteration on previous technology that itself was made possible by iteration. We do this today in the same way we’ve been doing since the beginning of our species’ existence, by creating new knowledge from yesterday’s knowledge through the process of iteration.

To be human is to be inherently innovative; or, more fundamentally, to be human is to be inherently capable of thinking critically.

Today, we place a lot of weight on the word “innovation,” and say that innovation is the key to business success. This word gives us a catch-all term for lumping a wide variety of advancements into one massive category that includes everything from Keurig’s K-Cup design and Nils Bohlin’s three-point seat belt design, to cryptocurrencies and a child’s cardboard box fort. When a child progresses from making tiny structures with Lego blocks to creating their own life-sized fort, that’s an innovation…right?

Clearly, innovation is subjective, so why do we use this term so much in the business world? Some people think it sounds good in marketing copy, management uses it to inspire and motivate their subordinates, and analysts still give it a pass on investor calls.

Fine.

But when it comes to improving the way we do business, we should be careful about using overly general terms such as “innovation,” and instead identify specific desired outcomes so people can apply critical thinking skills in effective ways.

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This is an excerpt from the “Momentum” chapter of my new book “Context: Reflections on the Essence of Doing Business with Humans.” The book is available today on Amazon. You can download a PDF sample of the book here.