Promoting a Culture of Innovation

Change & AdaptationManagement & LeadershipManagers≈ 15 min

Key skill: Creativity & innovation

Summary

Turn the manager into a driver of change rather than a mere relay: stay on the lookout, get teams thinking ahead of time, and innovate through action, to embed continuous improvement before transformation is forced on you.

Target audience

Any manager or project lead who needs to promote and support change within their organization.

Learning objectives

Actively monitor trends to stay informed about developments in your field, market, and technology.
Involve your teams in thinking about change, so they can anticipate and propose it rather than endure it.
Hold meetings to imagine strategies and solutions together, ahead of announced transformations.
Test & learn: innovate through action and creativity by testing ideas to see how well they work.

Module outline

StorytellingThe story of Nokia, which ignored market signals and the need to innovate
ArticlesBuilding innovation into team goals · The (virtual) suggestion box: setting it up and best practices
Expert videoThe manager's role as a driver of change: monitoring, team reflection, and proactivity
AnchoringA quiz and True/False questions to dig deeper and lock in what you've learned
Memo cardA downloadable coaching memo card: the key takeaways from the expert video
CommitmentConcrete examples to help you define your own commitment
BonusA selection of videos to go further (TED, YouTube)

Models & methods

Active monitoring and benchmarking; team brainstorming; test & learn mode; suggestion box; Fab Lab.

Research-based

The Nokia case, overtaken by Apple's iPhone and Samsung smartphones; Fab Labs, originating in the United States.