Myths, Truisms and Some Innovation Facts

People new to organizational life hear a lot of confusing management expressions (called jargon). The term innovation will likely be at the top of the list. Here is an overview to help you to understand what it means in terms of the lessons to learn.

Lesson One - Innovation is a lot like physical fitness. Why? Talking about fitness does not make you fit any more than talking about innovation makes you innovative.

Lesson Two - Innovation is more than technology. Many executives say, "We are investing in technology to become more innovative." This is wrong. Refer to Lesson One and consider: does investing in running shoes make you more fit? Only if you use these shoes in ways that make you fit. Only the innovative use of technology makes you innovative.

Lesson Three - Creativity is about finding new and original ideas while innovation processes manage the best ideas into action. If the results are beyond the norm, we may conclude that it was an innovative idea. Lesson Four - It is best to consider innovation in terms of innovative thinking. Everyone in every organization solves problems, creates opportunities, and deals with change. The more innovative we are in finding higher quality solutions and opportunities, the better off we are.

Lesson Five - Research finds that the most innovative companies (the ones that continually launch new products and services, and profit from them) have two things in common: everyone in the business knows how to manage their ideas, and they create a climate that is open to new ideas.

Lesson Six - Learn to be a creative thinker rather than a critical thinker. Start by reading something by Edward de Bono, such as Serious Creativity.

Lesson Seven - If an organization is not pursuing innovations, it is pursuing mediocrity and complacency. Avoid these organizations.

Lesson NOT to Learn - There is a political ideology called right wing thinking, which states that businesses are more innovative than the public sector or the not-for-profit sector. Challenge this assertion (which is quite easy by reviewing the long list of companies that have gone bankrupt through bad management).

When you look at an organization, see if it is innovative in the services or products it provides and in the way it manages its people. These organizations will be far more satisfying to work for, regardless of their structure.