Tap into your Organizational Neuroplasticity & Innovate Like Never Before

Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. The previous scientific consensus was that the brain develops during a critical period in early childhood. After that, the brain remains relatively unchanged and static. But recent scientific evidence has shown otherwise.??

For decades, the prevailing consensus had been that the brain could only be rewired in its early stages of development. This myth has been well and truly busted. The brain can indeed reorganize and rewire itself at any stage of life.?

It is now time to bust the myth that?only?early-stage startups can be dynamic enough to innovate and change themselves and the world.?

Companies of all sizes and in all industries can mimic this human neuroplasticity. They can reorganize themselves and adjust their activities in response to new situations or changes in their environment. You can rewire a well-established 'organizational-brain'. However, it requires deliberate and committed action in four key areas.

I have taken the liberty to connect these four areas to the four sections of the human brain.?

· In a human, the?brainstem?controls the flow of messages between the brain and the rest of the body, and controls core body functions. The brainstem performs the same role as the?leadership?of an organization.

· The?cerebrum?controls the coordination of voluntary activity and is the seat of planning and reason. The cerebrum performs the same role as a company’s?strategy.

· The?cerebellum?does not initiate movement but contributes to coordination, precision, and accurate timing. This performs the same role as a company’s?people and processes.

· The?limbic system?takes charge of emotional responses. This corresponds to the?attitude?of the people inside a company.

?We will now look at just a small sample of the ways to rewire these four areas of the “organizational brain”.?

Leadership

The leadership team of an organization needs to free itself from being a slave to its short-term balance sheet. If you cut spending towards innovations to improve your short-term results you are setting yourself up for long-term failure.

Leaders need to realize that innovation is the key to unlocking future growth and therefore it needs to be made a real priority, not just in words but in action too.?

Strategy

Your company mission should remain fairly rigid, but your strategy for accomplishing your mission should be flexible. We live in a fast-changing dynamic world and many of the assumptions that you make when crafting your strategy will be way off the mark.?

Your clients need to be at the center of your strategic decisions. Your clients don't care how creative you are or how many awards you have won. I laugh at some of the innovation awards that companies post on their social media channels. There is only one group of judges that matters for your business. I am not referring to the know-it-all judges at glitzy, sponsored events. The only innovation judges that should matter to you are your customers and they judge with their money. If you add value to their world, then they will keep voting with their money and giving you their business and if not, they will gladly vote for your competitors.?

People and processes

Recruit for innovation and then trust these superstars to do what you hired them for, even if they sometimes rock the boat. Build a culture of continuous learning and give everyone a voice. Don’t try to force your free-spirited innovators to adapt to your system. Give them space to be themselves and judge them on their output rather than on the way they work. Remember, there may be no “I” in team, but there are five in individual brilliance.?

Ask yourself this question: “If a person inside your business comes up with an industry-changing idea, will they stay with you? Is there a structure that will let them drive their idea to fruition and be rewarded equitably for doing so?” If the answer is “No”, something needs to change, and fast.

Attitude

You need to be productively paranoid and realize that you must stay on top of your game. If you don't, your clients will move to a company that offers them more value. Your past success does not entitle you to anything going forward and you must never lose the hunger to serve your clients better.

In summary

If your company transforms these four elements, you will rewire your organization for innovation and growth. If not, well your competitors will start eating your lunch.

#innovation #culture #leadership