Rethink Your Thinking About Innovation
Written by Shadley Grei
“If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old.”
The word “innovation”gets tossed around in boardrooms, conferences, and brainstorming sessions like a mantra. We all know it’s vital. We’ve heard countless times that without innovation, companies stagnate, industries crumble, and progress halts. Yet, despite its ubiquity in our corporate lexicon, how often do we actually rethink what innovation means? How often do we challenge our assumptions about how innovation should work within our organizations?
Innovation Isn’t Just About Big Ideas
When most people think of innovation, they imagine groundbreaking ideas, disruptive technologies, or revolutionary products that change the game. But focusing solely on these big, flashy breakthroughs can be limiting. In reality, innovation is just as much about incremental improvements, subtle shifts in thinking, and the ability to adapt existing ideas in new contexts.
Consider the story of the Post-it Note. It wasn’t created from scratch; it emerged from an accidental discovery and a shift in thinking about how to use an adhesive that wasn’t strong enough for its original purpose. The product wasn’t an overnight success, either. It took time, persistence, and small tweaks to reach its full potential.
Challenge Your Innovation Assumptions
If you’re leading innovation initiatives in your company, ask yourself: Are you waiting for the next big idea to strike? Are you investing only in moonshots, hoping for that one breakthrough that will change everything? If so, it might be time to rethink your approach.
Innovation isn’t just about chasing unicorns. It’s about creating a culture where curiosity is encouraged, small ideas are nurtured, and failures are seen as valuable learning experiences. By fostering an environment where everyday innovation is celebrated, you can create a steady stream of improvements that collectively drive significant change.
The Power of Rethinking
If you’re leading innovation initiatives in your company, ask yourself: Are you waiting for the next big idea to strike? Are you investing only in moonshots, hoping for that one breakthrough that will change everything? If so, it might be time to rethink your approach.
Innovation isn’t just about chasing unicorns. It’s about creating a culture where curiosity is encouraged, small ideas are nurtured, and failures are seen as valuable learning experiences. By fostering an environment where everyday innovation is celebrated, you can create a steady stream of improvements that collectively drive significant change.
Are we only listening to the loudest voices? Innovation can come from anyone, not just those in leadership or the designated "creative" roles. Encourage ideas from all levels of your organization.
Do we have a rigid process? While structure is important, too much rigidity can stifle creativity. Allow flexibility in how ideas are developed and tested.
Are we afraid to fail? Innovation requires risk, and risk often leads to failure. Shift your mindset to view failures as necessary steps in the journey to success.
Are we overlooking the small wins? Incremental innovation can be just as impactful as the big wins. Recognize and celebrate the small improvements that collectively drive progress.
Ideas Into Action
To help you start rethinking innovation in your organization, here are some specific actions you can take:
Create a Cross-Departmental Innovation Team
Form a diverse team with members from different departments and levels of the organization. This team should meet regularly to discuss small improvements and innovative ideas, ensuring that diverse perspectives are represented.
Implement a “Fail Fast, Learn Faster” Initiative
Encourage experimentation by allowing teams to take calculated risks on new ideas. Set up a framework where quick, small-scale tests can be run, and lessons learned from failures are documented and shared across the organization.
Establish an Innovation Feedback Loop
Set up a system where employees can submit ideas for incremental improvements anonymously if needed. Ensure that all ideas receive feedback, whether they’re pursued or not, to keep the loop of communication and innovation flowing.
Celebrate Incremental Wins Publicly
Recognize and reward small, successful innovations during company meetings or through internal communications. Make it clear that these contributions are valued just as much as larger breakthroughs.
Encourage Regular “Innovation Sprints”
Dedicate time every quarter for short, focused innovation sprints where teams work intensively on developing and testing new ideas. The goal is to produce actionable results quickly, which can then be iterated upon.
Offer Training on Creative Problem-Solving Techniques
Provide workshops or training sessions on creative problem-solving methods like Design Thinking or Brainstorming 2.0. Equip your team with tools to approach challenges in new ways.
Review and Refresh Your Innovation Strategy Regularly
Schedule regular reviews of your innovation strategy, looking for areas that have become stagnant or where new approaches could be integrated. Encourage feedback from all levels of the organization to keep the strategy dynamic.
Set Up a “Shadow Innovation” Budget
Allocate a small portion of your budget to fund side projects or “passion projects” that employees believe could lead to innovation. This budget should be easy to access and used to explore ideas outside of the regular scope of work.
Innovation as a Mindset
Ultimately, innovation is less about specific processes and more about a mindset—a way of thinking that prioritizes creativity, adaptability, and a willingness to question the status quo. It’s about being open to new perspectives and finding value in the unexpected.
As you rethink your approach to innovation, remember that it’s not about waiting for lightning to strike. It’s about creating the conditions where the sparks of innovation can ignite, grow, and eventually light up the entire organization.
So, the next time you’re in a meeting and someone brings up innovation, don’t just nod along. Pause and ask yourself—and your team—how you can rethink what innovation truly means for your organization. You might be surprised by the answers you uncover.
About the Author: Through Grei Matter, strategist Shadley Grei has helped a wide range of clients turn ideas into action, from local thought leaders writing their first book to media industry powerhouses like Disney, Conde Nast, and Hasbro. With a focus on narrative-driven innovation, Shadley excels at fostering strategic collaborations and driving growth.
