Why business leaders need to stay innovative...

As the economy continues to shift, the businesses that thrive during even the harshest economic times are almost always the businesses that stay agile, and innovate.

They don't cling to what used to work.

They don't get stuck in what's working now.

They look for the gaps (that are constantly evolving), and how they can meet those specific needs.

At the heart of all of today's leading billion dollar companies is innovation.

So, why don't we talk about innovation in the coaching, consulting, service-provider, corporate space?

Because innovation is scary.

Innovative leaders step out in faith when no one believes in their ideas.

They try things that aren't proven... yet.

They test things fully knowing that failure is just as much a likelihood as success.

Innovation requires courage.

But, at the end of the day, it's the difference between those that stay competitive and grow, and those that don't (I'm looking at you Blockbuster).

If you are someone who is in a business leadership role either as an entrepreneur or as a corporate executive, make this year a year you commit to innovation.

Commit to trying new things.

To creating new things.

To stepping into the gap in your world.

Not sure how? Here are a few tips:

1. Surround yourself with people from diverse industries. It's really hard to stay innovative when you are constantly surrounded by people who do what you do, think like you think, or are deeply immersed in the world you are immersed in. Innovation happens when there is cross-pollination of ideas. So find a community (we recommend The Advance Innovation Society) of people from a variety of different industries so you can glean from different perspectives.
2. Take 30 minutes right now... okay, when you finish this article... to write down ALL of your ideas. Think about the problems that keep popping up and write down 10 NEW ways to solve them. Don't censor yourself or discount something because it's "too hard" or won't work. Write them all down. Then, spend some time fleshing out a few options.
3. Read 2-3 books per quarter outside of your industry or zone of genius. Read something TOTALLY different. Get outside of your own bubble, and write down ideas as you go.

At the end of the day, if you want to stay competitive, innovation isn't a nice to have, it's an absolute must. You are either going to lead innovation in your industry or at your company, or end up following the person that does.

Disrupt or be disrupted.

You've got to decide!