I do not know about you, but I do not like being or feeling stuck! However, I do find myself from time to time in a stagnate state. Stagnate in mindset and action. I believe this to be a function of lack of discipline and inattention to results. Or ... just being human!
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.
Here is where a personal growth mindset is required. Here is leaving the comfort zone behind. Here is One-Degree. 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? Therefore, to be intentionally and personally innovative is crucial behavior for success.
"When a personal growth mindset migrates into our personal beliefs and behavior system, innovation becomes natural!"
- Jeff Rogers, CPMBC
In the professional sense, innovative matters become far more clearly defined. If we choose to earn more income or earn more responsibility, we must become innovative and grow professionally. Somehow in the professional sense that makes sense! But there is a trap here too.
Examples of Innovation in the Workplace
In order for creative abrasion to flourish and innovation to thrive in the workplace, it is essential to cultivate a specific environment. This environment should be characterized by trustful management that empowers employees rather than micromanages, and open communication channels that foster collaboration and idea-sharing.
These elevated mindsets and behaviors create the foundation for a workplace culture that values innovation and drives continuous improvement. By creating an environment that nurtures creative abrasion, organizations can harness the collective intelligence and creativity of their teams to achieve sustainable success and stay ahead in today's rapidly changing business landscape.
Techniques for Growing Innovation and Creativity in Your Company
- Trustful management, not over-bearing.
- Open communication.
- Contact outside the organization.
- Variety of personalities.
- Willingness to accept change.
- Experimentation with new ideas.
- Not fearing mistakes.
- Rewards based on performance.
- Implementing techniques that encourage ideas (brainstorming).
- Providing resources to accomplish goals.
These are the elevated types of mindsets and behaviors that drive innovation in our world. Without this process, you cannot implement this next critical performance skill.
Create a Strategy to Maximize Innovation
Innovative Performance is critical for sustainability. I have outlined the value of strategy and tactics here with performance, but this needs to be carefully done. To implement with rigidity can be that trap. But you ask, “Then why bother with all this planning? Why not just go do something?”
Strategic planning provides the thoughtful information necessary for this vital next piece to the best performance.
Innovation and creativity are key to maintaining momentum. This thoughtful thinking process is where your internal confidence, gut feelings, and decision-making come from. In this process, you think through many scenarios and prepare yourself personally, professionally, and organizationally for unexpected and unintended situations.
Innovation, creativity, and the Art of the Pivot are necessary skillsets you must have now. Not the panic pivot, throw it at the wall and see what sticks pivot either. No, I mean the quality, high performance-based, thoughtful implementation of innovation and creativity when necessary, and with discipline.
Innovation is Important at All Levels of Management
As a supervisor and manager, executive, or owner, you often are faced with critical in-the-moment decisions. As are your teams. Set you and them up for success.
How do you align with this idea? Are you mailing it in? OR Are you working diligently every day to innovate and improve the world you live in?
Think about that for it a little bit…then, get on it!
