The word “innovation”, ever since the onset of tech development and business startups, has been played around whenever we see surface changes. However, the sad thing is no one really knows what the word means. People tend to call something “innovative”, or “trailblazing” when there’s a slight amplification or update on a certain tech or product, but is it really revolutionary in any way?
In the article written by, Chris Cardinal about true innovation, he stresses that innovation is truly about “challenging orthodoxies”. It invites radical shifts on the status quo, which may or may not anger an organization’s momentum – which for many, is something you should tip-toe around. If anything, innovation can be a touchy subject for companies that are comfortable.
But according to Chris, one of the biggest misconceptions about innovation is its size and scope, it sounds scary and risky. Many organizations raise eyebrows, or better yet, shy away at the suggestion of it, but radical changes don’t have to be large and monumental, at least not right off the bat.
If companies want growth and development, provide better services, and maybe get an even more lucrative profit out of it, innovation is the way to go. Here are some of the ways to kickstart innovation in your company or project that help you ensure the proper transition:
Assigning a Point Person
One of the best ways to get things started and done is to assign a point person. An “innovation czar” of some sort, who facilitates the entire project from the top to bottom, from creating teams, and carrying out experiments, to quality assurance. As Chris put it, “make innovation someone’s job”, someone that could get the wheels turning, well-oiled, and moving.
The innovation czar can bring up a team and educate them on how to challenge preexisting processes, disrupt the status quo, and run tests. For a more novel result and approach, it would be best to hire externally, an outside innovation expert.
An external hire’s POV of the job can help provide an even more “outside the box” idea. It will help address different light on existing tech and bring in fresher ideas that haven’t been “piggy-backed” around the company before.
Provide Freedom and Agency
The thing with trying to be innovative is that companies tend to shell out a huge budget but still restrict teams, giving them only a small room to explore. Genuine innovation can only come from a wealth of tested hypotheses and experiments which can only be achieved with freedom and agency.
Give teams a large enough room to try and fail, certainly, that’s the best way to find out what works. Teams often fail to pioneer innovation because of the numerous pressure from strict approvals and old processes that hinder things to move forward smoothly, and limited space to commit trials and errors.
Foster Inquisitive Attitude
As a toddler, we were once questioning almost everything with a hard reverberating “why?”, how Chris pointed this out is so spot on because I’ve had experience with his toddler self. The inquisitive attitude of toddlers is a good recipe for creating innovation. It allows you to question already established assumptions and processes. And face it, a toddler’s relentless inquisition can be so persuasive that it can make you question things you already know.
Foster your employees’ inquisitive attitude: let them question everything to the point where they help challenge old processes and thinking – without the tantrums, of course. It’s important to stick to the company traditions but old ways won’t open new doors. Allow them to build a hypothesis from the questions they formulate and test the theories that spring from that.
Challenge Assumptions and Toss Out Old Beliefs
The problem with how most people handle problems is that they use lenses that are stained with old assumptions and preconceived notions. These biases do not only impede development but we unconsciously use them as a basis for creating solutions to the same old problems, and we’ll be stuck in a loop.
Most of the way people think about problems when approaching them is based on preconceived notions and outdated data and information, and even feelings. When people handle problems they usually have a presumption about it that eventually builds up a solution that ends up not being the best.
Christ stipulated the best way to change this by: “…educate yourself, challenge implicit assumptions, and let others challenge your beliefs. Discourse with others is a powerful social tool to check your own biases.”. Well said.
Business leaders need to understand that while innovation is necessary, many organizations fail to create what it truly is. True innovation can only root in the willingness to see problems and problem-solving differently. And more often, that includes challenging traditions, disrupting the status quo, and questioning what you already know.
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