Innovation : Are you really up for it?
Yesterday I had the privilege of speaking to (and with) a group of MSc students of innovation - all bright, capable and full of enthusiasm for their chosen field of study. They had just started work placements and already, were facing into the innovation challenges of gaining traction, figuring out who to talk to and in some instances, individual hostility - and these were from organisations who had 'signed up' to host these students!
The conversation was wide ranging and I tried to give my perspective from a professional lifetime of trying to evoke transformation and innovation in large and small organisations. It all comes down to people.
We can teach the 'skills' of innovation but perhaps it should come with a side of 'behavioural science'? With so many pressing societal, environmental and organisational challenges to solve, how can we support those skilled innovators to make an impact, in a short timeframe?
Within organisations, perhaps its time to REALLY look at the expectations we place in innovation. Are you matching your expectations with resource and time commitment? Are you blending your experienced and skilled resources with the next generation mindset to get the 'best of both worlds'? Have you clearly articulated the boundaries of your ambitions or do the innovators of the future only know where the boundaries are when they find themselves on the wrong side of it?
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If so, admit it, you're hoping Olympic Gold, without doing any training!!!
There's lots of techniques, there's lots of systems and supports available to you. Innovation needs cultivation, care and support. It needs a 'snow plough' in the organisation to get the 'nonsense' out of the way. It needs challenging conversation and challenges to existing ways of doing things. But my question to Owners, CEOs and Senior Managers is.......... Are you really up for what innovation could mean for you and your organisation?
If you're not, you're wasting everybody's time and talent.
Rant over.