5 Ways To Create A Workplace That Inspires Innovation

Happy FriYay!

Innovation!

It’s one of the key areas that business leaders want their teams to improve in at the moment.?

We want people to come up with new ideas, better ways of doing things, or have a breakthrough that sees our business skyrocket.?

So how do we make it easier for our teams to reach those “EUREKA!” moments?

While innovation doesn’t happen all the time, you can certainly increase how often it does.

So this week I’m running through 5 ways you can encourage more innovation in the office.?

1. White Space. Have you ever noticed some of your best thoughts coming to you in the shower, on your commute to work, or while you are taking a walk? Those moments when you aren’t thinking of anything in particular and then suddenly… Eureka! This is what we call white space. Leaving space in your day to just think. Adding this to your workday will see you having more breakthroughs. Another tool I like to use (if sitting there without direction isn’t for you), is the Eddison Deck. These are card prompts that were designed to get you thinking, reflecting, and innovating.?
2. Reduce Stress. When we are working from a place of stress — or survival — we tend to prioritize ticking things off our to-do list, and not leave much space for creativity and innovation. So what are some quick ways to reduce stress? Allow your team to freely communicate when they’re stressed, or need help. Stressful situations can be easily de-escalated by asking early for help and delegating what isn’t the best use of our genius to someone who has the right skills. Which leads to my next point...
3. Different Geniuses. Get different people involved in a project. They’ll be able to spot more gaps in the project, and come up with ideas you may not have thought of. A process-based person might see where things aren’t cost effective. A planning person will be more aware if the turnaround time is too tight, or if it clashes with other projects. A people person will be better for presenting, while a more creative person can bring an additional sparkle to the project. Your project will be more fully rounded, with innovation happening organically, when you have different geniuses in the team.
4. Fire Bullets, Not Cannon Balls. After an idea or plan is devised, you’ll need to fire “bullets” at it to see if it really stands up. Most of us launch “cannonballs”, instead (turning to shreds any idea that gets launched). What is preferable for innovation is to just fire bullets, before launching a project. This means to be less destructive with the criticism — while finding a given plan’s bigger faults, and leaving space for it to grow.?
5. Flow Triggers. Incorporate flow triggers into your day. Like white space, these are activities that can inspire your creativity, allowing you to work at your best. Meditation, surfing, stretching or having a massage can all be flow triggers. Try to incorporate these into your week at least 3 times — or EVERY DAY, for maximum effect — so that you’re more often in flow. And then become more innovative, in turn.

Innovation is one of the biggest game-changers for businesses to succeed! Let me know if you want help getting your team in a more innovative flow.

Be the Ripple - Create Waves of Change?

??Jade