Understanding Innovation Traits
Innovation traits encompass a spectrum of behaviours and attitudes that foster the creation of novel ideas and solutions. They include:
- Curiosity
Curiosity is the unquenchable thirst for knowledge and understanding. It's the driving force behind children's incessant "why" questions. Whether they are exploring their dinner, taking apart a toy to see how it works, or asking endless questions about the world, this trait is a fundamental building block for innovative thinking.
- Creativity
Creativity is the ability to think unconventionally and to venture outside the norm. Children frequently display this trait during playtime, where a cardboard box can become a spaceship or a castle. They are willing to take risks, such as mixing different colours to see what they create or building a tall tower of blocks, knowing it might fall. This willingness to experiment is a cornerstone of innovation.
- Observation
Observation involves a heightened sense of awareness that absorbs information and discerns patterns and relationships. Children often exhibit this trait when they notice details that adults might overlook, such as the colour of a bird that visits the garden daily or the sequence of events that lead to a specific outcome. This keen observational skill is crucial for problem-solving and decision-making.
- Storytelling
Storytelling is the capacity to articulate ideas compellingly. Children often engage in imaginative play, creating intricate stories involving their toys or even invisible characters. As they grow, they learn to adapt their storytelling techniques based on the reactions of their audience, whether it's parents, teachers, or peers. This trait is essential for effective communication and inspiring others.
These traits, so vibrant in children, often wane as individuals transition through structured educational systems and into career-focused employment. In many enterprise settings, these traits are not just undervalued but can even be met with resistance. For example, employees who question established processes may be labelled troublemakers rather than valued for their curiosity. Those who observe and point out inefficiencies might find themselves sidelined in meetings, their keen observational skills seen as a threat rather than an asset. Creative individuals who propose unconventional solutions could face pushback from management who prefer tried-and-true methods, viewing creativity as a risk rather than an opportunity for improvement. Similarly, adept storytellers may find their communicative flair stifled by rigid corporate messaging guidelines, hampering their ability to inspire teams or stakeholders effectively.
Innovation traits for successful organisational transformation
Business transformation is a multifaceted process involving technological changes, operations, culture, and more. Innovation traits are essential in this context for several reasons:
- Embracing change
Those with strong innovation traits are more likely to support and drive change within an organisation, while those lacking these traits may resist transformation.
- Cultivating success
Building a team that embodies innovation traits can empower a business to develop disruptive solutions and forge new paths to success.
- Risk mitigation
Individuals with innovation traits are better equipped to identify and assess risks, thereby enabling the organisation to take calculated steps. This proactive approach to risk management can be invaluable during transformative phases.
- Resource optimisation
Innovative traits often come with a knack for optimising resources, be it time, people, or capital. This can lead to more efficient operations, which is particularly beneficial when a company is navigating through transformational changes.
- Stakeholder engagement
Innovation isn't just about products or services; it extends to how you engage with stakeholders. Those with innovative traits can devise new ways to communicate and collaborate, thereby enhancing stakeholder relationships and facilitating smoother transformations.
- Agility and adaptability
Innovation traits often correlate with a high degree of agility and adaptability. In a transformational setting, this allows teams to pivot quickly in response to market changes or internal assessments, ensuring that the organisation remains competitive.
- Data-driven
Innovative individuals often rely on data to make informed decisions. This data-driven approach can provide actionable insights that guide strategy and implementation in business transformation.
Reawakening innovation traits as a precursor to organisational transformation
Any organisation embarking on a journey of transformation should consider starting with reawakening innovation traits within its workforce. A strategic initiative to change mindsets and the very culture of the organisation, making it easier to accept and facilitate the significant changes expected during the planned transformation.
The first step in this initiative is clearly articulating the organisation's purpose, values, and culture. This serves as the foundation upon which specific innovation traits can be identified and nurtured. These traits should be in harmony with the organisation's core principles, thereby setting the stage for a coherent and impactful transformation strategy.
Once the groundwork is laid, the focus shifts to the employees, who are the catalyst in this innovation drive. Creating an environment where staff feel empowered to practise and internalise these innovation traits is imperative. This involves aligning their personal values and objectives with those of the business, thereby fostering a unified culture ripe for innovation.
The next phase is more hands-on and involves practical guidance to help employees reconnect with their innovative capabilities. This could mean establishing innovation labs, running workshops or hackathons, and initiating pilot projects that encourage creative problem-solving. The aim is to build a culture where innovation is welcomed and celebrated and failure is seen as a learning moment, laying the foundations and setting expectations for future projects and customer engagements.
Finally, the process should be underpinned by regular evaluations and adjustments to ensure alignment with organisational objectives. This iterative approach keeps the innovation journey agie, on track, and self-sustaining.
By taking these steps, an organisation can effectively prime its workforce for the upcoming transformation, ensuring that innovation traits are not just buzzwords but values lived by staff that will propel the business forward.
Case studies
Many organisations have recognised the value of innovation traits and integrated them into their core practices. For instance, companies like Google foster a culture that encourages curiosity, experimentation, and risk-taking. The renowned "20% Time" policy exemplifies this approach, where employees can spend 20% of their time on personal projects.
3M, known for its Post-it Notes and Scotch tape, has a long-standing culture of innovation. Similar to Google's "20% Time," 3M has a "15% Rule" that allows employees to use some of their work time to pursue innovative projects. This policy has led to some of the company's most successful products and fosters a culture of curiosity and experimentation.
Adobe's "Kickbox" programme provides employees with a small budget and a six-step innovation process to develop new ideas. The initiative encourages creativity and risk-taking by giving employees the resources to experiment without fearing failure.
Pixar Animation Studios employs a unique approach to storytelling and creativity through its "Braintrust" meetings. In these sessions, filmmakers present their work to trusted colleagues who provide candid feedback. This process encourages open dialogue and creative problem-solving, essential traits for innovation.
Spotify uses a dynamic organisational structure called "Squads, Tribes, Chapters, and Guilds" to foster agility and adaptability. This structure allows teams to operate like mini-start-ups, encouraging observation, experimentation, and quick pivoting when necessary.
Atlassian, the enterprise software company, runs "ShipIt Days," formerly known as "FedEx Days." Employees have 24 hours to work on projects that are not part of their regular jobs, encouraging them to be curious and creative. The best projects often get integrated into the company's products.
Salesforce employs a method called "V2MOM" (Vision, Values, Methods, Obstacles, Measures) to align employees' personal values and purposes with the company's objectives. This approach helps to create a unified culture where innovation traits can flourish.
By examining these case studies, it is evident that fostering innovation traits is not merely a theoretical concept but a practical strategy successfully implemented by leading organisations across various industries.