Why Be Innovative Anyway?
Personally
I don't know about you, but I don't like being or feeling stuck. However, I find myself in a stagnant state from time to time, which I believe stems from a lack of discipline, inattention to results, and poor habit creep, along with just being human.
My point here is from a personal standpoint, to be innovative might seem to be fake or not being yourself. But to be the same person 5 years from now does not seem too smart either. To be authentically innovative from a personal standpoint sounds much better. This is where a personal growth mindset is required; it requires leaving the comfort zone behind.
It is natural to assume, with a growth mindset, that we aspire to morph or transform. When this idea migrates into our personal beliefs and behavior system, innovation becomes natural. I have learned matters will not be just fine if I take no action and do not work to improve myself. How about you? To be intentionally and personally innovative is crucial behavior for success. Success no matter how you define it.
Professionally
In the professional sense, innovation becomes crucial for success, whether it's to earn more income or responsibility. However, innovation for the sake of innovation has no value. Understanding your desired outcome and applying Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential for innovative success.
Without your clarity here, you are simply wasting your time. By applying a matrix of KPIs to allow for your in-the-moment awareness of direction, will drive you closer and faster to your innovative success.
This requires foresight, courage, and awareness to make intentional changes, even when everything seems fine. Foresight in the predictability of change and evolution. Courage in the Tenacity and grit to step into the unknown. Finally, awareness in the assessment of mindset, current skills, and knowledge, as compared to required skills and knowledge to be successful. That is a lot to wrap your brain and ability around for sure.
Organizationally
Organizational innovation requires a deeper level of awareness. Shifting from a stagnant culture to one of fearless change is difficult but necessary for staying competitive. Establishing a culture of trust, open communication, and willingness to accept change is crucial. Innovation requires an environment of creativity and rewards based on performance.
This is an intimidating ask for many, especially established leaders and organizations. Established organizations are steep in tradition and 'this is how we do things around here' mentality. They fear by changing or innovating they may lose their competitive edge, and they forget that adaptability and innovation are key to continue success in a changing world.
Innovation requires an environment of creativity and creative abrasion.
Environment Required for Creative Abrasion to Exist
Trustful management, not over-controlling.Open communication. Contacting outside the organization.
Variety of personalities.
Willingness to accept change.
Enjoying experimenting with new ideas.
Not fearing mistakes.
Rewarding based on performance.
Techniques that encourage ideas (brainstorming).
Providing resources to accomplish goals.
By starting with the above you will begin your journey and build your culture of innovation. Without innovation, there would be no air travel, wireless communications, man on the moon, or popsicles for that matter. The simple things to the complex are a result of someone saying, “Why is this being done this way? How can we do it better? And What if?”
Using Innovation to Improve Business Performance
Next comes the ability to execute, and perform personally, professionally, and organizationally. I break this concept into 3 main areas. Strategic, tactical, and innovative performance.
Strategic Performance
Strategic performance involves devising the best processes for desired results. It requires elevating from the details to see the big picture, setting clear goals, and understanding the purpose and mission.
- Build the process: If processes don't exist, how can you expect them to be followed? SOP Manuals and checklists must be up to date. These processes should be built with a focus on the big picture.
Working smart and with purpose is more valuable than working hard.
Most importantly as a supervisor or manager, this is setting your team up for success. Here your ability to appreciate or recognize positive behavior and results is based on how you set it up from the start. Ownership is yours.
Understanding your purpose, why, and mission is key to true success. Without extreme clarity here, implementation will often stray and waste valued time and resources. The strategy is important, not everything. One can have the best strategy, but without passionate tactical implementation and the ability to innovate, means nothing.
Tactical Performance
Tactical performance is about implementing the strategy efficiently. Systems do the heavy lifting, and success is guaranteed by following processes and checklists diligently. Following The 80/20 Rule, systems carry 80% of the load and we adjust to the 20% as needed to achieve our goals. Allowing teams to stray from proven systems leads to errors and failure.
- Train the process: Teams must be trained on the processes and any changes, as well as ways to ask questions and give feedback.
- Measure the process: Tactical performance can be managed with Success Dashboards and KPIs. Use this as the foundation for appreciation for a job well done or a starting point for an improvement conversation, free from emotion and opinion.
Innovative Performance
Innovation and creativity are critical for business sustainability. Strategic planning provides the foundation for thoughtful implementation of innovation and creativity. This balanced approach to performance, driven by mindset and emotional intelligence, separates mediocrity from excellence.
- Innovate on the process: Is the system working? Are the measurements giving you valuable feedback? Is the team able to successfully do their job? Have you gotten any actionable feedback? Should you change anything?
We should not be afraid of innovation but we also shouldn't rush into it and change for change's sake. No, We should aim for quality, high performance-based, thoughtful implementation of innovation and creativity when necessary, and with discipline. As a supervisor and manager, you often are faced with critical in-the-moment decisions--as are your teams. Set you and them up for success.
In conclusion, innovation is crucial personally, professionally, and organizationally. It requires foresight, courage, and awareness to break free from stagnation and embrace change. By fostering a culture of innovation and implementing a balanced approach to performance, true success can be achieved.
