Recently, I attended a webinar with nearly 400 other Chief Learning Officers - during one polling period, we were asked what primary driving force pushes organization-wide or individual innovation - the majority agreed that leadership is that force.
Indeed, those CLOs agreed innovation was the most important quality their organizations desire in teams, individuals and leaders.
In today's fast-paced society, where images, ideas and ideals fly past through our minds at warp-speed, the only way to survive and succeed is to innovate as much and as often as possible.
I don't mean that you innovate for innovation's sake, rather you must add value, improve quality and enhance competence in every one of your tasks, products and services and that work must be done in an highly innovative fashion.
What strategies can leaders use to empower, propel and energize our innovative efforts?
Strategy-1 - Empower the Quest!
When we encounter inconsistencies, problems, difficulties, incongruities, dysfunction, mysteries or challenges, aren't those the times we notice that there are "gaps in our knowledge"?
When gaps are found we naturally want to search for solutions, or ways to bridge or augment our knowledge.
Leaders who aspire to leading others in authentic, committed, honorable ways strive to channel the power of open and forthright discussion and inquiry. In a word, leaders with integrity are not afraid to seek out and face the truth.
Wise leaders realize that the truth contains its own energy supply - through the pursuit of truth, our perceptions take on keener insights, we see our situations from afar and we can see them more clearly.
What is truth? We need to understand that our knowledge is insufficient [I like to call it, our "knowledge deficit"], and after acknowledging that, we must hunt for facts, ideas or theories to help us erase our knowledge-deficit.
Strategy-2 - Propel the Momentum!
When you begin the search for those 'deficit-filling' facts,
ideas and theories, you will see, discover or uncover at least one or more of these patterns and phenomena:
=> the unexpected - are the results you got the results you expected?
=> the break in logic, assumption or rhythm - does there seem to be something that is illogical or that doesn't make sense under the circumstances?
=> the change in structure or paradigm behind the "problem" - is it possible that our industry, profession or technology has changed or has those things experienced a change in the way they are structured?
Effective leaders "propel the momentum" of innovation by challenging assumptions, traditions and comfort levels.
By aggressively testing the results of every activity for its contributions to productivity, resourcefulness and growth, leaders can keep the "ball" of innovative momentum rolling.
Strategy-3 - Energize the Process!
Asking the right questions guides leaders towards truth - honestly searching for and fearlessly facing truthful answers will lead you to successful ventures.
Leaders can maximize their innovative opportunities by adding energy to their everyday work processes. You can build innovation into your tasks, relations and assessments by keeping your objectives clearly in mind.
"Inspect what you expect" are great words to lead and manage by. Keep your goals, objectives, targets, milestones and expectations in front of the group all the time.
By checking what you budgeted, planned and organized for against your actual outcomes, outputs and outpourings, you will identify problems and be better able to adjust or adapt your efforts before those challenges overwhelm your progress.
By unveiling the truth of your objectives and hopes, you are walking on the path towards innovation - you will be ' on-the-right-track' to that place where you will:
=> Do your work with or on things in different ways,
=> Take more effective actions on the things that you work with or on,
=> Work with or on things with greater levels of efficiency.
-----------------------------------------------------------
"You cannot solve a problem until you acknowledge that you have one and accept responsibility for solving it" - Zig Ziglar
Leading others to think, work and contribute more innovatively means being skilled, trained and developed to exploit your energy sources, along with the practices and disciplines of innovation.
It is possible to be taught the principles and concepts of innovation. Leading a creative, evolutionary, innovative organization is our highest priority for enjoying a healthy and vibrant economy.
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." - Antoine de Saint
Use your commitment to push our boundaries, your courage to risk a different way, and your hope to discover a better tomorrow as your guide - then lead us into that promised land.
Copyright © 2005, Mustard Seed Investments Inc., All rights reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Bill Thomas is author of "Leading A Creative, Evolutionary, Innovative Organization!" - an idea-packed, 2-Volume set of manuals to help you electrify, empower and infuse your leadership with scientifically-proven, evolutionary, results-producing strategies. Energize your innovation!
http://www.leadership-toolkit.com/innovatio n.html
------------------------------------------------------------
Motivation is a term that is so widely used, yet... Read More
As you look around your office, is everyone just like... Read More
Steven Covey had the right idea. There are discreet skills... Read More
Hiring good employees is not only important to business, it's... Read More
Everyone knows that an agenda is the key to an... Read More
Probably as well known as SWOT, SMART turns goals, objectives... Read More
When we want to hire people for a corporation or... Read More
In running any kind of business, it's inevitable that sometimes... Read More
As with any other service, there are good and bad... Read More
Yesterday I look at my calendar and saw that my... Read More
Here is a true story. My dentist did a "clinical"... Read More
For small business owners, an enthusiastic vision for smooth, steady... Read More
It seems incongruous that good idea generation can be a... Read More
Organizations live and die by results. Yet most organizations get... Read More
We all are on a quest for knowledge. Whether its... Read More
You're on your organization's diversity committee. You have the best... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
If you have company delivery vehicles at your small or... Read More
1. What is an Issue?An issue is an incident, circumstance,... Read More
Do you own or manage a computer consulting company? Are... Read More
One Bad Apple I know what... Read More
1) Create A Powerful "Mission Statement"-When your business mission is... Read More
As Albert Einstein said:-"The significant problems we face today, cannot... Read More
"What do you mean you need to push back the... Read More
Facilitating good communication can make the difference between a well... Read More
'Goodwill' is regarded as an intangible asset in a business.... Read More
I sit on the board of an organization and at... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Bringing an HR consultant into your organisation can often be... Read More
This technological revolution has organization, efficiency and productivity requirements well... Read More
DECISION BY AUTHORITY RULE: Many groups start out with-or quickly... Read More
There is no substitute for soliciting the opinions of the... Read More
Time To Market (TTM) is a vital concept that every... Read More
IntroductionThe role of the Human Resource Manager is evolving with... Read More
The perpetrators of the recent spate of financial frauds in... Read More
US Work Ethic Issues and Lack of serviceWell many... Read More
Various studies ? and common sense ? indicate that involving... Read More
How long does it take your customers, clients or patients... Read More
It's great to be multi-skilled?be able to type your own... Read More
If you are a business owner or a business owner... Read More
Most of us have found ourselves working on a team... Read More
Recently a client told me a wonderful story about how... Read More
TEAM DECISION MAKING: Managers who invite participation believe that people... Read More
If past behavior is the best way to determine future... Read More
Last month, my featured article was about creating a "Stop... Read More
If you're one of the many executives struggling with finding... Read More
In 1987 I sold my business, South Mountain Company, to... Read More
It has been said, there is no better way to... Read More
Are you a business, non-profit or association manager who pretty... Read More
There is no substitute for soliciting the opinions of the... Read More
Companies are welcoming a diverse range of employees (The Sunday... Read More
If you were to take the people out of an... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
There is much confusion as to whether competition or collaboration... Read More
Here are ten fundamental concepts that characterize an effective meeting.Definition:... Read More
What do the companies 3M, Polaroid, and Walt Disney have... Read More
Each day millions of workers spend 8 hours or more... Read More
Everyone wants to succeed in life. And no one starts... Read More
Why do some new managers succeed while others fail? It... Read More
Most of us would like to be better communicators. As... Read More
As with any other service, there are good and bad... Read More
The game of chess has been applauded and taught in... Read More
Meetings can be like mythical vampires ? sucking the life... Read More
Here's a productivity tip that will save you a lot... Read More
February 2nd, at approximately 7:30 a.m. local time on Gobbler's... Read More
Learning comes from many places. And one of the most... Read More
Business Management |