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Leading Innovation How To Develop Strategy, Manage, and Lead Innovation-based Change |
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By: Vadim Kotelnikov
Inventor, Author, and Founder of:Ten3 Business e-Coach – Inspiration and Innovation Unlimited!
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"Good ideas are not adopted automatically. They must be driven into practice with courageous patience." – Hyman Rickover |
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Leaders: Lead improvisation. Managers: Provide structure. ► Resulting synergy: Jazz of Innovation... More
Start with Yourself To lead innovation successfully you should start with yourself. A characteristic of CEOs in stagnant companies (often referred to as the "living dead") is that they ask their people to be entrepreneurial, to innovate and grow but do not do so themselves. "If people see that the boss is a "know-it-all," at the very best they'll be motivated to learn all the boss knows. If the boss has a rich sense of curiosity that openly questions the impact of not only his actions but those of others, the business and competitors, than others will learn from this and do like wise."2 Visionary Purpose and Goals Leading innovation requires a visionary purpose and goals. Make sure you keep stretch in your vision, communicate it constantly, and keep linking the events of today to your vision, underscoring the relationship between the two. "The constant tension between today's reality and your goals is what spurs extraordinary innovation... Emphasizing the importance of today's work keeps people focused, while linking it to the vision keeps them motivated."2 This communication should be enduring as "each encounter people have with the firm's vision unveils another element of connection." Leading With a Growth Attitude Establishing an attitude of relentless growth is what enables an organization and its people to achieve their goals. The spirit of relentless growth keeps fresh ideas flowing and reinvigorates your company. The relentless Growth Attitude establishes a context within which corporate executives lead by setting direction, creating strategy, securing resources, defining organization architecture, and ensuring that learning occurs. The Growth Attitude should start at the top and work its way down your organization.
New Systemic Approach to Innovation Until recently innovation has been seen principally as the means to turn research results into commercially successful products, but not all research leads to innovation and not all innovation is research-based. Innovation is systemic. It arises from complex interactions between many individuals, organizations and their operating environment. Firms which are successful in realizing the full returns from their technologies and innovations are able to match their technological developments with complementary expertise in other areas of their business, such as manufacturing, distribution, human resources, marketing, and customer service... More Developing Innovation-Adept Culture
Establishing the culture of
innovation requires a broad and sustained effort.
Leading Change: The 8 Stage Change Process Defrost a hardened status quo:
Case in Point Thermo Electron An example of how effective creative leadership helped to keep innovation and entrepreneurial creativity and energy alive was the approach taken by CEO George Hatsopoulos of Thermo Electron Corporation. He allowed each new project to spin off as a separate company, with Thermo Electron as the majority stakeholder. While thought by some to be primarily an innovation in capital financing, he believed it provided a strong incentive to employees, while at the same time being helpful in bringing in funding. His approach has been an ongoing success6
Learning to Lead... Establishing Purpose, Direction and Goals... Innovation Process: Diversion and Conversion of Ideas... New Challenge: Leading Knowledge Workers... Leadership Style... Positioning of a Leader... Emotional Task of the Leader... Creative Leadership... Managing Creativity... Creative Problem Solving (CPS)... Inspiring People... Energizing Employees... Volatility Leadership... Strategic Achievement... Infecting Your Firm with the Growth Attitude... Ten Tips for Maintaining a Fresh Perspective with Your Employees... Thought Provokers... Case in Point Quantum... Case in Point Silicon Valley Firms... Case in Point Hewlett-Packard... Case in Point GE...
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Bibliography:
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Leadership Top Management Innovation Management Market Leadership |
