|
|
|
|
||
|
||
|
Seeking Initiative and Innovation? Reward Failure!
Based on Proprietary Research
"If you want to increase initiative and innovation, you have to encourage and embrace failure. A culture that punishes less-than-ideal risk-related outcomes will stifle both initiative and innovation".
Prevailing in the face of intense competition requires companies to be nimble and innovative.
An innovative and high-initiative culture helps an organization respond better to market signals. It can better exploit opportunities, get new products and services to market more quickly and more often capture first-mover advantage.
I had an opportunity to conduct some proprietary research recently that sheds light on how to increase innovation and initiative-taking in organizations.
The Situation
I was retained by the research and development operation of one of the world's largest consumer products companies. In the past few years, they had acquired another consumer products company with some well known and highly regarded brands. The problem was that the acquired company had a risk avoidance culture in stark contrast to the acquiring company's more risk inclined culture.
The talented scientist and engineers in the R&D operation were a valued element of the acquisition. But the ingrained risk aversion within the R&D staff was resulting in insufficient innovation.
My task was to help these high value team members expand their comfort zone and become more risk inclined.
The Research
Prior to the time spent on-site at the research labs, I conducted an anonymous on-line survey for the R&D staff. The survey addressed the following questions.
Forty four people responded to the survey. The results of the survey yielded some fascinating insights.
Survey Result Highlights
Risk Hesitancy - What is your primary source of hesitation when it comes to taking work-related risks?
- The Implications of Failure - 59%
- Lack of Permission, Leadership, Support or Organizational Capability - 14%
- I Have No Hesitancy - 5%
Risk Catalysts - What would make you more comfortable taking thoughtful, well-considered work-related risks?
- Less-than-ideal outcomes being commended and not having a negative effect on career. - 49%
- Leadership Direction and Support - 31%
- Already Comfortable Taking Such Risks - 8%
Note: Responses have been grouped by category. Respondents were provided an open ended essay format for their responses with no suggested answers provided.
Perceived Condition
The great majority (61%) of those responding said they were being encouraged to take more risks. The balance, in pretty much equal proportions, said there had been no significant change in the last few years (21%) or they were being encouraged to take fewer risks (18%).
Clearly, the leadership of the organization had sent the message that more risks needed to be taken.
Risk Hesitancy
When asked about their primary source of hesitation in taking work-related risks, almost six in ten (59%) said the implications of failure.
The second most common response was provided by only 14% and centered on a their perceiving a lack of permission, leadership, support or organizational capability as making them hesitant to take risks.
Five percent said they had no risk hesitancy. The balance of the responses fell into many categories but focused on time and resource constraints.
Risk Catalysts
When asked what would make them more comfortable taking thoughtful, well-considered work-related risks, fully eight in ten said either assurances that less-than-ideal outcomes would not negatively effect their regard or career (49%) or clear direction and support from leadership to take risks (31%).
Eight percent reported that they were already comfortable taking risks. As with risk hesitancy, the balance of the responses fell into a variety of categories but again focused on time and resource constraints.
Insights
The message of the respondents is clear.
The survey data shows that the respondents were calling out for permission to take risks and a clear understanding that unsuccessful risks would not hamper their opportunities, regard or advancement.
The clear conclusion is that people who take thoughtful, well-considered risks have to be lauded, regardless of the outcome of the risk.
If you want to increase initiative and innovation, you have to encourage and embrace failure. A culture that punishes less-than-ideal risk-related outcomes will stifle both initiative and innovation.
Action Steps
Increasing initiative and innovation requires five simple steps.
"A Culture of Screw-Ups"
Increasing the level of effective risk-taking, initiative and innovation in an organization is not a short-term process. Risk inclination and risk tolerance are core elements of an organization's culture. It is part of what defines the organization. But it can be gradually changed by implementing the steps above, being consistent in emphasizing the importance to the organization of taking thoughtful risks and rewarding initiative and innovation.
If you are questioning the value of a culture that encourages risk-taking as a path to success, consider this statement by Scott Bedbury as reported in Newsweek. Bedbury was head of advertising at Nike for seven years in the 1990s. He says the key to Nike's success is its willingness to embrace "a culture of screw-ups. It really does learn from its mistakes." An insightful comment about Nike - one of the most successful and innovative companies of our time.
(c) 2004, Jim McCormick. All rights in all media reserved.
About The Author
Jim McCormick draws on his experience as the former Chief Operating Officer of an international design firm, an MBA and a degree in engineering to help organizations improve performance. He is co-author of Motivational Selling, editor of 365 Daily Doses of Courage and author of the forthcoming book Seize Opportunity - A Practical Guide to Exploiting Opportunities. More information is available at http://www.TakeRisks.com.
MarketWatch - 9 hours ago
"We need to think of the recession as a time to battle complacency with innovation and evolution." Omnipresent fashion households on Park Ave and Rodeo ...
MarketWatch - 13 hours ago
FirstDefender received the 2006 Cygnus Innovation Award in the HazMAT category. The 2008 Cygnus Innovation Awards presentation was held November 9, 2008, ...
MarketWatch - 1 hour ago
Tokyo and Mountain View, CA., Dec 02, 2008 (JCN Newswire via COMTEX) -- Mobile Content Networks (MCN: www.mcn-inc.com), the pioneering provider of search ...
MarketWatch - 9 hours ago
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 02, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- TechInsights, the global leader in media, marketing and professional services for the electronics ...
FOXBusiness - 9 hours ago
The Scientific business of Thomson Reuters today announced the forthcoming release of Thomson Innovation(SM) 2.0, the next generation of the company's ...
MarketWatch - 10 hours ago
RE2 was selected based on the Company's Small Robot Toolkit (SRT) Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and innovation provided to the ...
CNET News
Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA - 23 hours ago
By Marilyn Geewax Washington —- When Congress drafts an economic stimulus plan for 2009, it should focus its spending on technological innovation, ...
Now is the time for bolder innovation policy, researcher says CNET News
all 2 news articles
MarketWatch - 23 hours ago
The Technology Innovation Award recognizes Lewtan's innovation in financial markets technology and continues to solidify its leadership position in the ...
NPR - 9 hours ago
And I would have been able to retire on the profits from text messaging, the latest innovation to bring out the prophets of doom. ...
MarketWatch - Dec 1, 2008
The January issue of EMS Magazine will feature a comprehensive report on the Top 20 Innovation Awards. The Cygnus Public Safety Group is part of Cygnus ...
Business Innovation ? the Value of Role Play
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be... Read More
Creativity and Innovation Management - Special People?
People often think that there is a creative type. This is a myth.1. We can all solve problems.2. We can all produce large sets of ideas, large numbers of novel ideas and large... Read More
Creativity and Innovation Management - Good Ideas Part 1
The constant search for Good Ideas has resulted in many techniques for generating them. Part 1 of Good Ideas will briefly discuss Franklin's (2003) research into the types of ideas that are most... Read More
How to Turn Nothing Into Something
Excerpted from the Jim Rohn Weekend Seminar-Excelling in the New Millennium)Have you ever wondered how to turn nothing into something?First, in order to turn nothing into something, you've got to start with some... Read More
Creativity and Innovation Management - Teach, Coach, Learn
Coaching, training or learning about creativity and innovation involves mastery of at least 12 domains.These include:a) Creativity and Innovation differences and definitions.Often used interchangeably, they ought to be considered separate and distinct. Creativity... Read More
Intuition: Your Best Career Coach
Since I derive most of my life lessons from reading murder mysteries, I am reminded of a mystery by Marcia Muller, Listen to the silence. The heroine, Sharon McCone, turns her prodigious investigative... Read More
Use Your Intuition As a Valuable Tool for Change
Here's a subject that we don't normally think of when we think about change. Yet, intuition can be a very powerful force for change if we honor it fully. So let's take four... Read More
Business Innovation ? Confidence through Competence
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be... Read More
Humankinds Greatest Inventions
There are a number of amazing inventions that have been created during the course of human history. Some of the great ones that come to mind are:--The printing press--The electric light--Electrical power plants... Read More
Business Innovation ? Masks and Trance
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be... Read More
How To Benefit from The Power of New Innovations in the Year 2005
How many times have you heard the phrase "knowledge is power"? Probably enough for you to really wonder if you're actually doing something useful with your life, isn't that correct?So you want to... Read More
Can We Change People?
There was a class of "challenged" children and many teachers were brought in over time but each one ended up quitting in frustration. Finally, a teacher was brought in and a miracle happened.... Read More
Cumulative Gains in Innovation
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be... Read More
Opportunity: Could You Be Colour-blind?
Do you consider your vision perfect? You may never have needed an eye specialist in your life, but this is no indication of perfect vision. And if you just happen to also think... Read More
Intuition Power In Three Steps
Have you ever used your intuition to solve problems? Can you trust your intuition? Can you improve it?What Is Intuition?Intuition is simply a feeling, sense, or hunch based on information not available to... Read More
Innovation Management ? Isolating Problems and Implementing Solutions
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be... Read More
Set Yourself Up for Success!
Set Yourself Up For Success!~ By Fran Briggs Here's a great way to program and set yourself up for success in advance. It is one of many... Read More
Managing Creativity and Innovation, Part 2 of 2
Leaders, consultants and managers must be competent in at least thirteen domains to even begin effectively managing creativity and innovation. Part 2 of Managing Creativity and Innovation covers the last six of these... Read More
Become an Idea Collector
Have you ever gotten a really great idea ? one that you knew would solve a problem, but when you went to apply it, you couldn't remember the idea? Have you ever read... Read More
I Just Want to be Free - I Just Want to be Me!
It was a sunny Saturday in April 2003 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Carolina-blue sky seemed to kiss the wavy waters as the gentle wind embraced the beach. After enjoying the beach... Read More
Mother Of Invention Or Dummy? You Decide!
What would you say to yourself if when faced with a severe problem that could potentially devastate your lifestyle? What would happen if you "did" the first thing that came into your mind?... Read More
All Fortunes Begin With an Idea!
A new idea is merely the combination of two or more old ideas. The creation of a new idea is the critical first step in establishing any business.People who dream of setting up... Read More
Peace Alliance vs. Fighting a Battle
We read in the press about the "War on Drugs" and the "Battle of the Bulge". Television tells us to fight the flu, legal battles or the war in Haiti. Our doctors tell... Read More
Creativity and Innovation Management ? Joy and Sustainability
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be... Read More
Enhancing Vulnerability To Master Perfectionism
One of the ways a person must advance past perfectionism is to deal with and gradually become more and more vulnerable. Every good perfectionist knows that this is VERY scary.? Vulnerability involves allowing... Read More
Business Innovation ? the Value of Being Obvious
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be... Read More
Choosing a Winning Business Idea
You've probably heard it a hundred times by now - if you want to make alot of money with an online business you have to offer your own product or service. Well, make... Read More
Mindfulness and Beliefs: Irrationally Yours
I can't help it--I am a confirmed neuroscience geek.So I was very excited to attend the fifth brain lecture in a series (yes, I bought season tickets!) sponsored by Oregon Health Sciences University.... Read More
Innovation Management ? Developing Ideas Within A Framework
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be... Read More
Seeking Initiative and Innovation? Reward Failure!
Based on Proprietary Research"If you want to increase initiative and innovation, you have to encourage and embrace failure. A culture that punishes less-than-ideal risk-related outcomes will stifle both initiative and innovation".Prevailing in the... Read More
Enhancing Vulnerability To Master Perfectionism
One of the ways a person must advance past perfectionism is to deal with and gradually become more and more vulnerable. Every good perfectionist knows that this is VERY scary.? Vulnerability involves allowing... Read More
Three Step Problem Solving
How do you like to solve your problems? Do you prefer to use the more creative problem solving techniques, or the systematic ones? You'll get the best of both with the add-subtract-change method.Add,... Read More
Humankinds Greatest Inventions
There are a number of amazing inventions that have been created during the course of human history. Some of the great ones that come to mind are:--The printing press--The electric light--Electrical power plants... Read More
The Hidden Superpowers Of Your Mind
The mind is an infinite wonder. It has the fantastic ability to transmute your desires into their physical counterparts. You can do anything that your mind can conceive, as long as you have... Read More
Creativity Management ? When To Add Talent
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be... Read More
What to Do When You Are Chased by a Snake
I lived for several years on the Japanese island of Okinawa. It is a tropical island setting with a wealth of beauty and lots of things to do. We lived on the side... Read More
Become an Idea Collector
Have you ever gotten a really great idea ? one that you knew would solve a problem, but when you went to apply it, you couldn't remember the idea? Have you ever read... Read More
Let the Seeds Grow
The thought that every great thing that has ever happened, been spoken or invented began first with a single idea is not a new one, but one I don't think many people have... Read More
Business Innovation ? Confidence through Competence
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be... Read More
Change Is a Skill Development Learning Process
Change, like almost every other life experience, is a learning process. With each new idea or situation comes the need to learn about it?what is it? How does it work? How do I... Read More
Howd They Do That?
"How'd they do that?" I asked myself time and time again in my youth.As a journalist and documentary filmmaker, I witnessed ordinary people performing extraordinary feats on countless occasions. I documented individuals in... Read More
Managing Creativity and Innovation, Part 1 of 2
Leaders, consultants and managers must be competent in at least thirteen domains to even begin effectively managing creativity and innovation. Part 1 of Managing Creativity and Innovation covers the first seven of these... Read More
Great Ideas and Radical or Disruptive Innovation
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be... Read More
Success Tip From Yachting - Try To Fix The Problem Yourself
At 28, Ellen MacArthur is a world record holder. In 2005, she broke the speed record for sailing solo non stop around the world.As a reward and to recognize her great achievement, she... Read More
Opportunity: Could You Be Colour-blind?
Do you consider your vision perfect? You may never have needed an eye specialist in your life, but this is no indication of perfect vision. And if you just happen to also think... Read More
Innovation Makes Leaders
Basically what innovation does is making your business unique and often more progressive in its development.Looking deeper at positive influence of innovation allows us to notice clear tendency from business stagnation to rapid... Read More
Thousands of Failures, but Thousands of Patents
Thomas Edison failed thousands of times before he revolutionized the world by inventing and patenting the incandescent light bulb. Because of his desire to create the incandescent light, he was one of the... Read More
The 99 Percent Rule
It's Friday night, you're sitting at a restaurant, and as your meal arrives, the server says, "Now, don't touch that plate. It's hot." What's the first thing you do?Well, 99% of the time... Read More
Use Your Intuition As a Valuable Tool for Change
Here's a subject that we don't normally think of when we think about change. Yet, intuition can be a very powerful force for change if we honor it fully. So let's take four... Read More
Create An Idea Journal
When I first heard Jim Rohn talk about the importance of keeping an idea journal I was immediately captivated. So what is it you ask?...In its simplest form an idea journal is accomplished... Read More
How An Idea Can Lift You
What determines your destiny? What predisposes your choices?It is your intention.When you hunt for your dreams, you become a magician. When what is out there emerges from what is in here, you experience... Read More
Business Innovation ? Good Thinking
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be... Read More
Innovation Management ? Famous Failures!
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.There are distinct processes that enhance problem identification and idea generation and, similarly,... Read More
Business Innovation ? the Value of Decision Makers
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be... Read More
Why Do We Suppress Higher Thought?
Throughout History we have imprisoned our brightest stars and thinkers. In modern periods we force them into works of fiction and disallow those Thoughts, which make us question our perceived or created realities... Read More
Improve Your Business Dealings with Improvisation
"Nothing is accidental ... use everything." -- Keith JohnstoneEven the best-laid plans, the proverb goes, go oft astray. And by learning how to improvise like actors or jazz musicians, corporate types can better... Read More
Techno Witch II - Magick With Your PC
You've heard of applied science, well how about applied Magick. The personal computer is just a tool after all, so in theory you should be able to apply the ancient traditions to the... Read More
Choosing a Winning Business Idea
You've probably heard it a hundred times by now - if you want to make alot of money with an online business you have to offer your own product or service. Well, make... Read More
| GOOGLE AD |
Innovation Innovation |