January 2010 Deep Insights

Innovation is a cultural product driven by processes which create an environment tended by those who live there. It is a world filled with celebration, curiosity, stubbornness, dedication, discipline and a reality that “some moments, days, weeks, will be plagued with disappointments.” Organizations must create environments that inspire individuals to sustain climates for innovation and limit focus on disappointment.

Hope for individuals and organizations to achieve innovations is generated by benchmarking progress celebrating each small step as well as the breakthroughs. Events large and small keep the spirit of curiosity alive and challenge people to be active participants not passive bystanders.

In this environment, people strive throughout the day to connect the unconnected by asking questions. They reach out to all sources for knowledge regardless of its origin to bring in new ways of thinking. They are stubborn and dedicated to innovation for the good of the whole not just its parts. Embracing curiosity allows them to create options that lead to a successful result without prejudice or extended stays in disappointment. There are always alternatives for innovative successes.

Opening alternative pathways for innovation in an environment that is inspiration driven eliminates the need for supervision. It creates an espirit-de-corps while helping everyone to be self driven. People do not have to be managed when they take initiative, hold themselves accountable, and help others accomplish similar results sustaining progress for recognition on the way to innovation. It is a team effort cultivated by teammembers, not an individual.

Ultimately this culture will not accept people who are not part of the process. The process will be the catalyst to help them find themselves somewhere else.