Creating a Culture of Innovation

"The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible." ~ Arthur C. Clarke

During my career, I learned that innovation is about more than visioning, dreaming and sharing BIG ideas. Innovation requires a willingness to experiment and test your ideas. In addition, it’s about creating a culture of innovation that supports the innovation ecosystem and helps the team understand that everyone can play a role in the innovation process. A culture of innovation requires an infrastructure and capacity to support bringing BIG ideas to life. Creating a culture of innovation includes:

1. Dedicated staff. Someone has to lead this work.

2. Setting aside time to understand how innovation is aligned within the organization’s mission vision and values.

3. Operationalizing innovation in the day to day work of your organization.

4. Investing in innovation by ensuring the appropriate resources are available to support the organization’s building and sustaining a culture of innovation. Don’t starve innovation. Create a culture of innovation and watch your organization, team and leadership thrive.

Questions:

• How do you encourage innovation?

• How do you and your team dedicate time and resources for experimentation and innovation?

• What one small innovative idea are you and your team willing to test within the next week?