Still, FWIW, the recent articles in Fortune and the Scientific American magazine suggest that expertise in any field is a matter of hard work and discipline.

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/10/30/8391794/index.htm?postversion=2006101915

What it takes to be great
Research now shows that the lack of natural talent is irrelevant to great success. The secret? Painful and demanding practice and hard work

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006&colID=1&articleID=00010347-101C-14C1-8F9E83414B7F4945

The Expert Mind
Studies of the mental processes of chess grandmasters have revealed clues to how people become experts in other fields as well
By Philip E. Ross

–
This is _good news_ as it means that one can apply oneself to learning about innovation and go about it in a systematic manner. Let’s do that quickly before the scientific opinion changes

Points to ponder..in your article. Though the term Innovation management is flawed in its articulation. I think what is learnable is the ability to unleash mindsets and behaviours that would make innovation happen. Innovation to me is an outcome of orbit shifting aspirations that a few of us have,though sometimes dormant.

As the world begins to invest in understanding the what and how if innovation it will become more learner friendly. This would also demystify it and clear myths associated with innovation till date and most of it has to do with magic,the eureka syndrome.
Erehwon’s work clearly establishes that Innovation has to do with finding new rhythms of working,living and learning. This also therefore establishes the focus on ‘Creation’ rather than ‘problem solving’ which is the old understanding of deploying innovation.

You are right when you comment on how are we building this preparedness through our learning and teaching methods. Unfortunately they are not geared towards building ‘ Creation’ rhythms rather focus on ‘ responding rhythms.

I agree that Innovation Management is a nascent science, actually I think one could say that innovation management today is where quality management was 20 years go, so there is plenty of room for improvement