Leading innovation in your team

Every organisation – regardless of industry or sector – is exposed to new technologies and changes in business practices and the economy on a regular basis. The temptation can be to just keep your head down and hope that you weather the storms, but the organisations that thrive throughout this kind of unavoidable change are those who embrace innovation head on, adapting to new situations.

There are thousands of examples of exactly this happening – perhaps the most infamous one is that of Blockbuster’s refusal to innovate as the shift to digital took place, while Netflix saw an opportunity and seized it. It only ended well for one of these companies and it all hinged on innovation. 

It can be a daunting thought for leaders, who can feel as though the responsibility for innovation is on their shoulders. But leadership isn’t about coming up with all the great ideas yourself, it’s about creating opportunities and environments where your team can be empowered to innovate with confidence. 

How can leaders foster innovation? 

For leaders, it’s important to remember that there is always something new to learn no matter how long you have been a leader.Recently, I spent some time with a group of leaders who wanted to visit other similar organisations to learn from what was happening in other environments. By stepping out of their bubble, they learnt from fellow leaders and saw ideas in action that they were able to take back to their own team. 

Even as a leadership coach, I’m learning from my clients all the time as they think about addressing problems in their organisation and tackle challenges in different ways. 

As a leader, you can’t rest on your laurels – there is always more to learn. Of course, not every idea you hear or see will be right for your team or, of course, it might not be the right time to implement it. But it’s your job, as a leader, to adopt a mindset of continual growth and innovation, and pass it onto those in your team. 

What do teams need to innovate? 

There are practical considerations when it comes to innovation, funding and backing can be critical in getting an idea off the ground, but funding means nothing if your team doesn’t feel secure enough to come up with the ideas in the first place. Beyond an innovation mindset, teams need an environment where they can feel comfortable innovating. This includes: 

• Open communication 
• Frequent collaboration
• Leaders who listen without judgement 
• Diverse teams with diverse perspectives
• Empowerment to own ideas 
• Strong trust 
• A safe space to fail 

Leadership has never been about being the person who is innovating. Your team is on the ground and in a better position to innovate in a way that makes a real, practical difference for your organisation. 

Instead, leaders should focus on fostering an environment where all these things are present. An environment where it’s safe to innovate is one that will naturally produce innovation. 

We are living in a world of constant change. Innovation is essential. Make sure your team has everything they need to shape the future of your organisation. 

Want to foster innovation in your team? People Make the Difference can help. To find out more, visit www.pmtd.com.au or call us on 0412 333 415. Try our online leadership training videos – $99 for complete access. Great value if you’re committed to growing your leadership potential.