You're a product innovator, but your boss doesn't seem to appreciate your ideas or skills. You feel frustrated, demotivated, and misunderstood. How can you change this situation and prove your value to your boss and your organization? Here are some tips to help you deal with your boss's doubts and showcase your product innovation abilities.
The first step is to empathize with your boss and try to understand why they doubt your product innovation abilities. Maybe they have different expectations, goals, or preferences than you. Maybe they are under pressure from higher-ups, customers, or competitors. Maybe they are not familiar with your methods, tools, or processes. Or maybe they have a different definition of innovation than you. Whatever the reason, you need to find out what your boss wants, needs, and values, and how they measure success.
La clave para superar las dudas de tu jefe sobre tu habilidad para innovar en productos radica en la empatía. Es posible que sus expectativas, objetivos o preferencias no coincidan con los tuyos o que esté bajo presión de superiores, clientes o competidores. Tal vez no esté familiarizado con tus métodos, herramientas o procesos, o tiene una definición de innovación distinta a la tuya. En cualquier caso, es necesario descubrir qué es lo que busca, necesita y valora tu jefe, y cómo define el éxito.
The next step is to communicate your value proposition to your boss and explain how your product innovation abilities can help them achieve their objectives. You need to show them the benefits, not just the features, of your ideas and solutions. You need to demonstrate how your product innovation abilities can create value for the organization, the customers, and the market. You need to use evidence, data, and feedback to support your claims and show the impact of your product innovation abilities.
Para afrontar el escepticismo de mi jefe acerca de mi capacidad para innovar en productos, primero trataría de comprender sus razones y expectativas, ya que podrían ser diferentes a las mías. Algunos de esos factores podrían incluir presiones externas o falta de familiaridad con mis métodos. Una vez entendido esto, le explicaría cómo mis habilidades para innovar pueden beneficiar al cumplimiento de los objetivos. Es importante demostrarle con datos y pruebas concretas el valor que puedo aportar a la organización y a nuestros clientes.
The third step is to align your innovation with the strategy of your organization and your boss. You need to show them how your product innovation abilities can help them fulfill the vision, mission, and goals of the organization. You need to show them how your product innovation abilities can help them solve the problems, challenges, and opportunities they face. You need to show them how your product innovation abilities can help them gain a competitive advantage, differentiate themselves, and create a loyal customer base.
If your boss doubts your product innovation abilities, be sure you understand where the gaps are and be honest with yourself if you can fill them. You might need to align your approach to innovation with your organization's way of doing things and your boss' expectations. If there's a methodology or framework your boss expects you to follow, invest the time to learn it and follow it. Who knows? Over time you will likely be able to infuse your approach with it.
The fourth step is to involve your boss in the process of product innovation and make them feel part of the team. You need to solicit their input, feedback, and approval at key stages of the product innovation process. You need to update them regularly on your progress, challenges, and results. You need to invite them to join your brainstorming sessions, prototyping workshops, or testing experiments. You need to make them feel valued, respected, and appreciated for their role and contribution.
The fifth step is to learn from your boss and others who can help you improve your product innovation abilities. You need to ask for constructive criticism, advice, and guidance from your boss and other experts, mentors, or peers. You need to listen to their suggestions, opinions, and perspectives, and incorporate them into your product innovation process. You need to seek out new sources of inspiration, information, and knowledge that can enhance your product innovation abilities.
The final step is to celebrate your achievements and share your learnings with your boss and your organization. You need to acknowledge your successes and failures, and highlight the lessons you learned from them. You need to showcase your product innovation abilities and their outcomes, and share the best practices, insights, and tips you discovered. You need to thank your boss and others who supported you, and express your gratitude and enthusiasm. You need to show them that you are a product innovator who can deliver value, results, and growth.