How to create an innovation culture that works

“97% of CEOs agree that innovation has grown increasingly important over the last 10 years, and 73% of those CEOs note that innovation plays an important role in determining the value of a company. The problem, however, is that only 35% of CEOs are actually confident in their organization’s ability to innovate successfully,” writes philmckinney.com.

A Culture of Innovation from Thomas Koulopoulos on Vimeo.

At the same time, an article in Sloan MIT Management Review, quoted by Yale Insights, identifies a series of “building blocks” for an innovative culture, including hard-to-measure characteristics such as values, behavior, and climate. “An innovative climate,” the authors write, “cultivates engagement and enthusiasm, challenges people to take risks within a safe environment, fosters learning, and encourages independent thinking.”

To create an innovation culture in your company, there are some thoughts you should have in mind as a leader and/ or a CEO:

• If senior management leads by example, it’s much more likely that innovative thinking will be actively present at every level of the company.
• Give power to the employees that show potential an creative thinking.
• Involve your employees in creative workshops and challenges.
• Use a gamification platform to encourage ideas from employees. Using a playful approach is always a good and rewarding idea.
• Show your employees that their ideas count and are valued.
• Rethink meetings and encourage brainstorms.
• Don’t overwork them.
• Don’t be afraid to risk and try an unconventional idea.
• Experiment.
• Celebrate good ideas, even they are small and don’t have a huge impact on the business overall.
• Recognize and celebrate diversity.
• Be creative.
• Set yourself apart. Differentiate.
• Don’t be afraid to share your success story.