An ‘innovacation’ could be just what you need to run a better business

A what! ?Yes, I'm not a fan of the terminology, but definitely of the concept to take the time, to create the space, to be creative and innovative. This is an extension of a post based on an article in Racontuer about leaders finding time for creativity and innovation.

I'm blessed that over the last 6 or 7 years, Covid aside, I have had regular international business trips. Whilst the trips the meetings and events were based around were very useful in and of themselves, I started to find the gaps in the journey, even the dead time at airports, were very useful, to be disconnected from the day to day, and to give time for reading, thinking and …. innovating. ?Oftentimes I'd try to find flights that gave me a few hours mooching time (time to walk the city/location, sit for a coffee and think).

That said, I've not yet had a full ‘innovacation’. ?But, we do as a company at Hyperion have quarterly offsites. We get together in a remote self contained location, and spend time together on business and socially. I've mentioned them many times, and make no apology for the repetition. The value of this time is, well, invaluable! ?It's great for ideas, collaboration, social interaction, and some much needed relaxation and fun. I know many comapanies do similar, and some even have 'workations' where they take the whole company on holiday. It's an extended offsite I guess. The Hyperion quarterly offsite is typically 2-3 days.

But a a CEO, Founder, or leader of any size of team, how do you find or create the time to innovate, to come up with ideas, to get away from the day to day tactical and operation tasks of leading and managing a team, and no doubt having your own specific work jobs too? I'm intrigued by this. Both by what works for you, and by how your company and/or colleagues react? I guess it's all about company culture, a favourite and obsessive topic for me. Does your company culture see the value and productivity in you 'disapearing' for a spell, or is the feeling that you are just skivving, having a holiday at the Companies expense? I would assume that in many if not most businesses the latter would be the response, but that is based on my own long working career, not on any data or evidence.

When we consider that According to McKinsey research , 84% of CEOs believe innovation is critical to growth. Creativity is one of the building blocks of innovation, so how do these CEO's and other leaders prioritise creativity and innovation? How do you do it? How does your company try to push and encourage innovation? Please post replies below, or DM as I'm fascinated by the topic.

My own thoughts are that when businesses, especially larger corporations, try to institutionalise creativity, the result becomes the opposite. A bit like telling people to play a game and have fun, without the spontaneity it becomes a task, not a pleasure. On a personal level, I know when I find the time for a walk, or a few hours 'off' but without a specific topic or expectation of innovation, that's when the interesting ideas come.

Where and when are you most creative, and how do/can companies do the same?

David