Recently, I’ve been thinking about novelty — not in the “shiny object” sense, but as a powerful ingredient for growth. When things feel new, we tend to pay more attention to them. Our curiosity is piqued, and we engage more deeply.
It turns out novelty isn’t just exciting, it’s also quite beneficial. In product development, team leadership, and even in my personal life, I’ve noticed a pattern: novelty drives success.
Novelty in Products
When building products, novelty is often the difference between “meh” and “oh, that’s dope.” In a world chock-full of apps and digital tools, people don’t just want functionality. They want functionality and something that feels truly unique and thoughtful.
That doesn’t mean throwing in gimmicks for the sake of standing out. The injection of novelty still needs to meet the real needs of users. Perhaps it’s a visual that surprises users with clarity, or a flow that anticipates their next move more effectively than they do. Novelty done well shows care. It says, “We thought deeply about this, and we made something new for you.”
I like to reference Duolingo when having conversations about novelty in creating success in software. Duolingo is not the first language-learning app. However, it became wildly successful by leaning into a quirky brand and gamification — making learning a language more novel than other experiences available on the market at the time.
Novelty in Teams
Teams, like products, benefit from a little shake-up now and then.
It’s easy to fall into routine patterns: same meeting agenda, same communication cadence, same tools. While consistency can be comforting, over time it can also lead to disengagement. People start phoning it in, often without even realizing it. And it’s not because they don’t care. It’s because the environment isn’t giving their brains enough new information or stimulation.
I once noticed a team growing quiet during our sprint retrospective. The format had been the same for months, and participation was dropping. I tested out a new format that was colorful, silly, and totally different. The change re-engaged the team and surfaced some of our most thoughtful conversations to date.
Novelty invites participation. It tells your team, “This isn’t just going through the motions. We’re still thinking, still evolving.” Even a small twist in how you run a meeting can open up new perspectives.
Novelty in Life
Outside of work, novelty plays a big role in happiness, too.
There’s actually science behind this. Our brains release dopamine when we experience something new. This is why exploring a new place or trying a new activity can feel so rewarding. Not everyone has the time or resources to be constantly exploring new places or chasing the newest food craze in town, though. And that’s actually okay! You really don’t need to book a trip across the globe to tap into that feeling.
Lately, I’ve been experimenting with what I call “micro-novelty.” I might switch up my morning routine, try out a new biking path, or cook a dish I’ve never made before. These little shifts don’t take much effort, but they remind me that my life isn’t on autopilot. They make me feel more alive.
If you’re feeling stuck or drained, novelty might be the refresh you need. It doesn’t have to be big. Just try something a smidge different than before.
Shake Things Up (Even if it’s Just a Little)
Whether you’re building software, leading a team, or trying to stay inspired in your personal life, novelty can be a powerful ally. It brings attention, energy, and a sense of possibility.
So this week, I invite you to shake something up. Try a new meeting format. Design something weird. Walk down a street you’ve never noticed before. It might surprise you how much joy you find in the new.
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