5 Ways To Be More Innovative At Work
Here are 5 ways leaders and teams can cultivate an innovation mindset:
Create awareness.
First begin to establish an awareness that innovation is a combination of real-time creative ideas along with breakthrough ideas. It is key to consider thinking and looking at creative solutions as you approach each of your daily tasks.
Focus on ‘in common’ approach.
The ‘in common’ approach is to look at every challenge with either people or problems through a new lens. The new lens is to ask, ‘What do I/we have in common with this person or situation that is a challenge?’ For example, leaders and teams can shift thinking to ask questions such as, ‘What do we both want that is the same?’, and, ‘What are our common goals?” This mindset shift helps lean toward solutions and saves time blaming someone else for the situation. Teamwork is to continuous learn to stay with a growth mindset in mind.
“You can’t solve a problem on the same level that it was created. You have to rise above it to the next level.”
–Albert Einstein
Pick Small Projects
We often think that ideas must always be big, transformative, and game-changing. However, it’s lots of small things that add up to make a BIG difference. The benefits to small-scale innovation are huge. Try changing lots of small things, like how you sign off your emails, how you reward yourself for good work, or how you kick off meetings.
Surround Yourself With Inspiration
Whenever you see something from your life that captures your attention, put it on display. It can be any discovery: beautiful article in a magazine, an creative menu, or even a well-written email that made you laugh. Create a space in your home office or digitally if you are in an open office space to stay inspired and remind yourself of things that bring you fresh ideas.
Involve others
No innovation can survive today without a group of supporters. Another talent associated with innovation is the ability to involve others in its development—bringing together diverse expertise and perspectives. The skills to assemble a team, tap into people’s talents and coordinate efforts are great contributions to the innovative process.
