Mistake 6: Sticking with the Status Quo
Great innovations don’t just happen in an instant. They start with a spark and evolve over time. In fact, many innovations never come to fruition, so don’t expect to strike oil every time you innovate. Instead, and more importantly, focus on doing something differently. Try a new technique; listen to your inner voice that’s giving you direction. The techniques described below can be used by yourself or with others to create new ways to think about old problems.
Managers who do this well:
• Anticipate opportunities for bigger thinking before crises arise;
• Stay curious about how things work, particularly in dissimilar industries or products;
• Inquire with the team about new and better ways to do their work;
• Stay abreast of changes in their industry or function and share uncovered great ideas with the team;
• Foster a climate where unusual and even wacky ideas are considered and given time; and
• Create a track record for delivering on novel and enhancing ideas for the organization.
Start with a simple process. Whether looking for simple solutions or breakthrough thinking, utilizing a simple process for navigation helps everyone understand the journey and work together collectively. Consider the following whenever the team is stuck and needs to come up with something new and out of the ordinary.
An innovation mindset builds over time. Consider the following ways to build your capabilities before you’re called upon to generate big ideas.
Seek out others who are creative. Big thinkers seldom put their ideas together alone. Observe how others champion and drive issues to implementation.
Practice iterative thinking. No idea or design is perfect the first time. Allow ideas to “ruminate” for periods of time. Share them with others and gain their perspective and ideas.
Work with the information you have. We all wish for more clarity— one more data point, one more analysis, but sometimes, it’s just not possible. Look at the information you have in front of you today. What does it say? This is a great time to use your intuition. What does your past experience tell you to do? What’s the worst thing that can happen given the limited information you have? Take action and then live with the decision.
Let go of sureness. In chaos, our immediate reaction is to gain clarity. Suspend that tendency. Work with what you know. Find opportunity in what is not clear. Extend grace and patience to others who are struggling. Work with the information you have rather than the information you wish you had.
Check your perspective with others. We often think that we need to go through hardship alone. What are others saying? How are they coping? Is there someone available to check your point of view? You will find you aren’t alone. Take time to check in with others on how they are managing and to gain insight from their perspectives.
We all have the power and capability to be more innovative. Letting go of the notion that great ideas just pop into our heads is the first step. Then collaborate with others to identify what’s possible, which might even be hidden because the team hasn’t taken the time to explore. Finally, take time with your team to be innovative—to think big. It won’t happen in your day-to-day work life because your mind is filled with pressing tasks and issues old way.
Check out innovative techniques in my book at www.inthelead.co/books