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Posted: 2005-01-16 / Author: Ben Botes Being A Innovative LeaderIn 1968, George Land gave 1,600 5-year-olds a creativity test used by NASA to select innovative engineers and scientists. He then re-tested the same children at ages 10 and 15. The test results were staggering! 98% at age 5 registered genius level creativity, 30% at 10 year and 12% at 15 years of age. The same test given to 280,000 adults placed their genius level creativity at only 2%! In his book 'Breakpoint and Beyond', co-authored by Beth Jarman, Land concluded that non-creative behaviour is learned".Innovation originates from the French word "innovacyon" meaning "renewal" or "new way of doing things.†Most of us would love to be more innovative, but are either to busy with ‘important life stuff’ or simply just don’t know where to start. Unfortunately, innovation, unlike audits or reengineering, is not given to formulas. It is given to people -- restless, inspired, fascinated individuals with an almost cellular need for change. And while it can be supported by systems, it can never be reduced to systems. "Innovation," as Tom Peters so aptly put it, "is a messy business." To become more innovative, forget about slick formulas and the excuses why you can’t be and bring your awareness to what is happening inside you. Because that's where it starts. What language are you using to describe your innovative ability? What does that internal critic have to say? Perhaps you are reminding yourself that if something were really such a good idea then some else would already have thought of it. The answer is that we are all innovative and creative, albeit in our own way. It is the degree to which we allow and trust our creativity to come to life that distinguishes us from others. So ... if you are one of the self-chosen few willing to stop blaming your organisation and start taking personal responsibility for innovating, take a look at the following innovative qualities, and ask yourself, ‘starting today, how can I be more…….?’ Or ‘What will happen at work/in my life if I…..? Challenges status quo -- dissatisfied with current reality, questions authority and routine and confronts assumptions. Curious -- actively explores the environment, investigates new possibilities, and honours the sense of awe and wonder. Self-motivated -- responds to deep inner needs, proactively initiates new projects, intrinsically rewarded for efforts. Visionary -- highly imaginative, maintains a future orientation, thinks in mental pictures. Entertains the fantastic -- conjures outrageous scenarios, sees possibilities within the seemingly impossible, honours dreams and daydreams. Takes risks -- goes beyond the comfort zone, experimental and non- conform- ing, courageously willing to "fail." Peripatetic -- changes work environments as needed; wanders, walks or travels to inspire fresh thinking; given to movement and interaction. Playful/humorous -- appreciates incongruities and surprise, able to appear foolish and child-like, laughs easily and often. Self-accepting -- withholds compulsive criticism of their own ideas, understands "perfection is the enemy of the good," unattached to "looking good" in the eyes of others. Flexible/adaptive -- open to serendipity and change, able to adjust "game plan" as needed, entertains multiple ideas and solutions. Makes new connections -- sees relationships between seemingly disconnected elements, synthesises odd combinations, distils unusual ideas down to their underlying principles. Reflective -- incubates on problems and challenges; seeks out states of immersion; ponders, muses and contemplates. Recognises (and re-cognises) patterns -- perceptive and discriminating, notices organising principles and trends, sees (and challenges) the "Big Picture." Tolerates ambiguity -- comfortable with chaos, able to entertain paradox, doesn't settle for the first "right idea." Committed to learning -- continually seeks knowledge, synthesises new input quickly, balances information gathering and action. Balances intuition and analysis -- alternates between divergent and convergent thinking; entertains hunches before analysing them; trusts their gut, uses their head. Situationally collaborative -- balances rugged individualism with political savvy, open to coaching and support, rallies organisational support as needed. Formally articulate -- communicates ideas effectively, translates abstract concepts into meaningful language, creates prototypes with ease. Resilient -- bounces back from disappointment, learns quickly from feedback, willing to "try, try again." Persevering -- hardworking and persistent, champions new ideas with tenacity, committed to follow-through and bottom-line results. You simply have to choose to be more Innovative. ------------------------------- Ben Botes MBA, MSc ben.botes@my1stbusiness.com Ben Coaches business leaders and entrepreneurs to Unleash Their Entrepreneurial Spirit Top of page | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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