Improve Innovation

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Author(s): Byrd, Jacqueline L

Remove all the stop signs.

Why don't we see more innovation? Perhaps we are playing a role in stopping innovation. Many managers concentrate so much on margins that the innovation is marginalized or seldom explored. Leaders fall prey to wanting innovation but then sending signals that stop people from creating and implementing innovative solutions.

Common Stop Signs

Here are four common stop signs:

1. Always be informed. If you have to be informed about everything before any new idea can move forward, you'll stop innovation from occurring at any time and in any place. Let others be informed.
2. Always be a team player. If you think because some people disagree with you they're "not being team players," you'll stop unique ideas from being put forward. You'll only hear ideas that conform-ideas acceptable to the team. Unique ideas often come from unique individuals. Look for conflict and differences, and celebrate the unique ideas that come forward.
3. Go through channels. If you create channels that don't enable people to go around them or create new ones, you'll curb opportunities for solving problems without a well-defined, step-by-step approach. Remove the barriers that require multiple signatures and multiple sign-off steps to do something.
4. Produce-get results. If you only want results, why would a person take a risk on something that is not a sure thing in your eyes? If you want innovation, remove the stop signs that halt innovative ideas. Encourage people to generate ideas-not always results.

What stops signs have you put up that get in the way of innovations?

Now, Full Speed Ahead

In troubling times, leaders often retrench, worry, conserve. They hunker down, cutting costs, laying off people, and going back to the basics. Granted, it's counter-intuitive to step out, be bold, and be innovative in tough times. Yet today, you can't afford not to be innovative and challenge old ways of doing business. Tough times call for innovation.

Innovation equals creativity times risk taking. When you understand this formula, you know what needs to be done to create greater innovation.

* Creativity is the ability to produce unconventional ideas. Today, we need new ideas that can change or alter the path and redirect our energies.

* Risk taking is about driving ideas, products, and services forward. It's about tenacity in the face of adversity. It means that you have to push your ideas onto someone else-an employer, colleague, or department-at some risk to your own security, career, reputation, or self-esteem.

The combination of creativity and risk-taking yields powerful results-innovative ideas at a time when they are really needed.

Five Keys to Innovation

Here are five ways to ensure you foster an innovative environment:

1. Look for the innovators. Recognize the innovators. Ask for their ideas. Listen to them.
2. Be aware of messages that get in your way. Messages like, "I must have all the numbers first." Or, "Who else has tried it?" or, "How do we know it will succeed?" You don't. That's the risk in any innovation.
3. Empower people around you. Don't pull back your delegated power when the going gets tough.
4. Put together teams that can make it happen. Put your innovative people together and charge them with coming up with creative ideas. Later ask your Sustainers to keep the cash cows going.
5. Talk innovation often. Talk about innovation regularly. Actively seek ideas for new products, better services, and increased productivity.

Rather than hunker down, challenge yourself and your team to get creative and take a few risks. This is the formula for innovation and success.

ACTION: Use these five keys.

Jacqueline Byrd, Ph.D, is the president of the Richard Byrd Company and an author of "The Innovation Equation" (Wiley) and "The Innovative Leader" (Creatrix). http://www.creatrix.com/

© Copyright Executive Excellence Publishing May 2006
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