How do you find inspiration and support for innovation?

The space for exploration and playfulness, looking for and testing unusual synergies, and involving those that think inside and outside of the box to discover different pathways to innovative solutions, is a great way to inspire innovation. However, promoting and rewarding innovation is the best way to build on and sustain it.

In my experience, diverse view points allows the team to see the whole picture or problem. As an example, having a panel of speakers that explain a topic from polar opposite views can aid audience members to learn about a topic pretty quickly and the pros and cons. It will show the different biases, as well as, open the eyes of others to areas that they may have had a Blindspot.

Seek different reading materials than what you'd normally read, even if it feels intimidating and you don't understand half of it. While traveling, I've been known to peruse scientific and agricultural magazines. I am far from an expert in these areas however after learning about those challenges, I always find myself acquiring a fresh lens through which I can help solve problems. Years ago, one of those articles educated me about think tanks and how the methodology is used by government organizations to spur innovation. I was shocked to learn that limited time and parameters, when done correctly, pushes us towards the highest levels of creativity. I now encourage the same process when conducting brainstorming sessions. It's a game changer!

When problem solving, I enjoy the approach that Six Sigma methodologies offer. In my experience, they are a great way to create a safe space because it forces you to have the discipline to fully explore the issue and define the problem first. Nothing is off limits and everything gets on the table. I find the process to be refreshing and inclusive of all stakeholders. Once everyone agrees on the problem, you can move on to finding appropriate solutions.

I don' fully agree with this. Sure, we need to look at how we can cook a different recipe using the same ingredients, but part of the "magic" of innovation is that it feels new, it looks new and it offers a certain level of excitement. I would look at existing resources, but only after other options have been explored first. Chances are, that's when you'll be able to confidently discard pieces or modify an existing solution to truly make it new. Only then will people rally behind it.

To foster innovation and creativity, it is pertinent to keep our customers at the heart of it - both external as well internal! Let's start by asking these questions: 1. How well do we understand our customers' (and teams) goals and strategy? 2. How can we enable innovation and truly partner in their journey? Leaders can champion a culture of innovation by role modelling and simply having a narrative around innovation! Rewarding even incremental innovation and not just a radical one will go a long to encourage innovation and creativity!