How you noticed that everybody likes to talk about being innovative and the importance of driving innovation, and yet few people want to change what they are doing? This is the first paradox of innovation. For most people, innovation means others doing things differently.
Innovation is a team sport. Even innovations driven by an individual have a provenance that reaches back to use build blocks formed by others. This is what Isaac Newton meant when he said, “If I have seen further it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants.” None of us would argue with the aphorism “There is no I in team.” But even teams rely on individual contribution. If one member of the team is not helping to pull the wagon, the productivity of the team suffers.
This is doubly true for innovation. True innovation is hard. There are challenges to be met. The unknown looms before us. We have to move both ourselves and others outside of the comfort zone. This can be a daunting task. It is no wonder that so many organizations fail to get there innovation engines firing on all cylinders.
This is why it is critical that as innovation practitioners we acknowledge that the “I” in innovation is us. We must each take personal responsibility for innovation and not wait for others to lead the charge. Ask yourself these questions.
How am I championing innovation?
How am I changing my behavior to drive innovation?
How am I expanding my “box” by mastering innovation skills?
How am I engaging the entire enterprise in infectious innovation?
How I am contributing to make innovation a sustainable value driving core competence?
What are you doing to drive innovation? How are you challenging yourself to do more?
Unfortunately, it seems that Corporate America is so worried about short term profitability, or simply trying to cut losses, innovation is falling by the wayside. Safety seems to be best strategy; there's definitely a "no" in "innovation". However, without innovation, companies stagnate, employee morale and performance decline, and of course, so do profits.
Corporate Amercia is in a mess right now, and it's going to take a lot of courage from its CEOs to create an organizational culture that embraces innovation; after all, there's also an "ovation" in there, as well.
Posted by: Larry Underwood | April 23, 2009 at 05:15 AM
Well said, Larry. In many enterprises there is a fear of the unknown in innovation that causes people to retreat and not move forward.
I think this is why it is especially important for the individual to look at themselves not only as an innovator, but also as a change agent for the enterprise. This can be a bit scary for some, but it is important, and in reality is how a lot of real innovation gets driven.
Innovation leadership and courage is needed at all levels in the enterprise. Who will step up to the plate? If not you, who?
Posted by: James Todhunter | April 28, 2009 at 11:52 AM