What do you do if you're a leader who wants to stay ahead of the curve in innovation?

1 simple sentence: Talk to your front-line staff...and listen to what they have to say. Nobody knows how your customers really feel or what they want better than the people who interact with them daily. By keeping communication lines open between upper management and front line staff you can actually start to become predictive, instead of reactive. And this is where true innovation starts. Not with us as leaders, but with the human beings actually doing the work. Listening to what our customers are saying and expressing TO them, as opposed to impersonal surveys or web reviews. Then, facilitate ways to create and provide the things your customers are looking for. Do that, and you'll never be at a loss for innovative and creative ideas!

Personally, I delve into a broad spectrum of knowledge, from the latest technology to emerging management theories. I find that attending conferences and consuming diverse literature not only enriches my understanding but also lays the groundwork for a culture of insatiable curiosity in my team. Staying up-to-date is more than a duty; it's a passion that drives innovation.

No dejes de formarte, el camino del crecimiento es, por suerte, infinito y en continuo aprendizaje. No dejes de escuchar. Y no dejes de tener la mente abierta al cambio.

Make sure your people leaders know that their job is not about them, it's about bringing out the greatness in others. If you don't have those people leading your teams, innovation dies on the vine. Create a culture of psychological safety. Give your team some guardrails on what kinds of innovation the company is interested in seeing and supporting - the companies that collect any and all ideas are the ones that typically don't translate that idea into action.

As a leader, I strive to cultivate a space where mistakes are seen as stepping stones to success, not setbacks. Encouraging brainstorming sessions and allowing the freedom to explore bold ideas are practices that not only enhance our work but also empower every team member to contribute to our innovative vision.

La creatividad es la base de la resolución de conflictos y la capacidad de encontrar múltiples soluciones a un problema. Es por eso que en mis acompa?amientos siempre incluyo procesos creativos. Algunas personas creen que no son creativas, pero no es así, todos somos creativos, todos tenemos esa creatividad en nosotros, solo hace falta trabajarla y practicarla. Es importante tener en cuenta que el proceso creativo no atiende a horarios, y brota cuando puede fluir libremente sin tantas presiones. Por ello como líderes necesitamos entender este proceso para potenciarlo en los demás por beneficio compartido.

I value each conversation with colleagues and mentors as a goldmine of new perspectives and ideas. Actively participating in events and forums not only keeps me informed of trends but also unveils collaboration opportunities that might not arise otherwise. This enriching exchange keeps me always one step ahead in my field.

I dedicate myself to exploring how innovations like AI and IoT can transform our processes and offerings. This approach not only enhances our efficiency and customer experience but also positions us as leaders in adopting new technological solutions, keeping us always one step ahead in innovation.

Prueba, prueba y prueba. Asegúrate que testas con la acción cosas nuevas, ideas diferentes, personas distintas, etc. Es decir además de pensar, de reflexionar toca experimentar. Es esa cita con la acción la que puede hacer que emerjan innovaciones que la cabeza sola no puede fabricar.