Redefining Innovation: Moving Beyond the Creativity Paradigm

One challenge I hear repeatedly from innovation managers, directors, and commercial managers in organisations is that innovation is still primarily viewed as a creative act. Creativity and design thinking are crucial to tackling problems, but this perspective can limit our thinking and ability to bring our new ideas into the world. Identifying opportunities for our creative minds to generate solutions and ensuring they will impact customers and stakeholders, as well as investing in and implementing ideas and constantly improving them, is all part of the innovation journey.

So think of your organisation.

Does it broadly think innovation equates to creativity, or does it have a more holistic view?

How are you helping your colleagues see the relevance of what it means to be innovative in their day-to-day working lives?

Key Points

Innovation is seen primarily as creativity - Whilst creativity is essential, limiting innovation to creativity alone can narrow our thinking and exclude other necessary skills and mindsets.

A holistic view of innovation required - Organisations need a more holistic view encompassing investigation, investment, implementation and a mindset of continuous improvement. Innovation applies to daily work, not just innovative projects.

Adopt an innovation mindset - Understanding how being innovative relates to daily work is vital to cultivating an innovative culture.

Top Tips

1. Evaluate how your organisation views innovation. Is it seen primarily as creativity, or does it have a more holistic perspective?
2. Discuss with colleagues what it means to be innovative and how it applies to daily work.
3. Encourage a mindset of continuous improvement.
4. Invest in implementing good ideas, not just generating them.
5. Provide opportunities for colleagues to propose and test new ideas in their areas of work.

To learn more about The Six 'I's® of Innovation, please register for our free pre-recorded Masterclass Six Keys to Unlock the Innovative Potential of Teams.