Lean Tip
#3616 – Let Information Flow Freely
Transparency
within a company is necessary for building a culture of innovation. In addition
to knowing the company’s top priorities, transparency also breeds trust. Trust,
in turn, breeds both engagement and personal connections. Taken together, they
encourage creative thinking and the confidence to share those ideas and work
with teammates to bring them to life.
One of
the ways to promote transparency and let information flow freely is to use
collaboration tools that make information accessible and visible to everyone in
the company. Doing so will create a culture of open communication where
employees can share ideas, feedback, and concerns without fear of retribution.
You’ll also encourage employees to engage with each other and with the company
by making information and resources easily accessible and available.
Lean Tip
#3617 – Empower Teams to Make Decisions.
Decision
paralysis happens when we have too many options and are unable to decide on a
single solution. This can quickly derail many projects or teams. But something
much worse is not empowering a team or individual to make a decision in the
first place.
Layering
on multiple levels or approvals in order to make a decision can kill innovation
faster than any type of decision paralysis can. When teams or individuals don’t
feel supported or trusted in making decisions, they can quickly lose confidence
in their ability or skills to innovate.
Empowering
teams through decision making is a great way to increase ideas within your
organization. When workers feel confident, they are more likely to pursue new,
innovative projects. Eliminating some of the “red tape” around decision-making
can help foster a culture of innovation and make way for more ideas to come to
the forefront.
Lean Tip
#3618 – Break Patterns and Stop Thinking, “That’s How it’s Always Been.”
The
definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while
expecting a different outcome. For many organizations, this definition of
insanity plays out in a dangerous way.
We all
get stuck in common patterns of behavior or settle into ways of doing things.
It’s another frustrating theme of being human. But this behavior can have
unsettling consequences. When times change and issues arise, we can find
ourselves stuck by providing a familiar excuse: “That’s how it’s always been.”
The world
is rapidly changing around us, and what worked last week may not work this week
anymore. Innovation can only truly blossom when we’re able to step back from
our norms, patterns, and comforts to see the larger picture at play. It can be
easy to fall back on old solutions, but that can hinder you from making
progress toward seeking out truly innovative solutions.
Lean Tip
#3619 – Allocating Time for Creative Exploration
You can
set aside dedicated time within employees’ work schedules for them to explore
and experiment with creative and innovative ideas. This approach recognizes
that innovation often requires time for reflection, brainstorming, and
experimentation. Organizing contests is one of the best ways to encourage
employees to not only brainstorm but execute their ideas. As a manager, you get
to see the potential an idea may have, and employees also feel motivated as
they have dedicated time to work on something other than their regular work.
Lean Tip
#3620 – Encouraging Networking and Exposure to New Ideas
Create
opportunities and a supportive environment for employees to connect with peers,
industry experts, and diverse perspectives outside of their immediate teams or
departments. You can set up mentorship and coaching programs and let the
employees reach out to the mentors to share ideas, take feedback, or learn to
navigate through challenges. Moreover, you can involve employees in industry
events, conferences, or collaborations with external organizations to expose
them to new trends, technologies, and innovative practices. Such exposure can
stimulate innovative thinking and inspire employees to bring fresh ideas and
approaches to their work.
Lean Tip
#3621 – Create the Right Motivation and Culture
Start by
defining and communicating your business mission, values, and strategic
direction. If your employees know where you’re headed, they’re more likely to
contribute ideas of value to your business. Don’t use money as the incentive;
place emphasis instead on that employee’s potential to shape the future
direction of the business and make a meaningful contribution.
Listen,
acknowledge, and give feedback to employees who submit ideas. As a member of
management, beware of jumping the gun and adding suggestions or changes to
ideas as soon as they’re submitted; this can give the impression to employees
that their ideas don’t have merit or aren’t good enough, reducing the
likelihood of them repeating the behavior.
Remember
that an idea is only the first step, and it will be imperfect and require
fine-tuning. Embrace that concept and adopt the philosophy of ‘there’s no such
thing as a bad idea’. Even if you must say no to an employee, their suggestion
may lead to other developments in the future. It’s vital to establish a culture
in which employees can feel confident submitting ideas, in the knowledge that
they will be listened to and not judged.
Lean Tip
#3622 – Ask for Ideas from Employees and Establish a Process
Do your
employees even know that you want them to step up?
Make it
clear that your organization is seeking input from its employees and
communicate it widely. Direct innovation to ensure you get the most from your
employees. Rather than simply saying “We want your ideas”, identify and define
the areas you need support with. Give your employees a structure and process to
follow, or consider having a member of the management team ‘get the ball
rolling’ with the first suggestion.
For
example, establish an ‘ideas’ forum or use a dedicated idea system. Start a
discussion requesting ideas for a specific process, product, or objective and
outline how the process will follow through. Assigning a timescale can prove
beneficial; it creates a sense of ‘urgency’ that will prompt or trigger
suggestions, rather than an open-ended process. This sets out expectations and
offers employees a starting point and structure for putting forward ideas.
Lean Tip
#3623 – Make Time for Innovation
Google
famously adopted a ‘20% time’ policy for innovation, allowing its engineers to
dedicate 20% of their time to personal projects. The initiative generated some
of Google’s most successful products. Although the concept has since been
replaced with a more focused approach, it highlights the need to dedicate time
to ideation.
While not
all organizations can afford the productivity losses of a ’20 time’ approach,
ensure that alongside ad-hoc ideation along your communication channels, there
is time dedicated to purposeful brainstorming and idea creation.
This may
be a weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual event, depending on your business
needs; setting up a regularly occurring event for an open forum, group
discussion, or even just as a reminder to employees to submit ideas can help
get those creative ideas going.
Lean Tip
#3624 – Think Outside the Box
Ideation
is, by definition, a creative process. So why not get creative with how you
stimulate ideas?
Why not
assign an ‘ideas wall’ and supply a bank of Post-its? Or have a ‘think like the
customer’ session, using role-play or even actual customers? Keep it fun: if
your employees feel comfortable, they’re more likely to contribute.
Remember
that not all employees create or innovate in the same way; offering several
channels or options can help get the maximum number of ideas from the maximum
number of people.
Lean Tip
#3625 – Stop and Listen
You’ve
made the decision to innovate. You’ve removed barriers, you’ve asked for ideas,
you’ve given them the tools. Now, you need to listen.
Employees
are continuously talking, even outside of structured innovation campaigns. The
act of creating a true culture of innovation calls for continuous listening –
both to active ideation channels and to ‘passive’ conversations, which
naturally occur in your business.
Make sure
you listen from the bottom up; some of the most powerful insights can be found
on the frontlines of your business, from those actively delivering your product
or service. Ideation isn’t an executive-level task: when it comes to
innovation, every employee counts.
Lean Tip
#3626 – Be Flexible and Adaptable in Your Approach.
The world
is constantly changing, so you need to be flexible and adaptable in your
approach. This means being open to new ideas and ways of doing things. It also means being willing to change course
if needed.
Flexibility
and adaptability are key traits of successful organizations. They allow for
quick adjustments in response to changing circumstances, ensuring that the organization
can continue to operate effectively even in uncertain times.
One way
to foster flexibility and adaptability is by encouraging a culture of
experimentation within your organization. This involves trying out new ideas
and approaches and learning from both successes and failures. By doing so, you
can identify new opportunities and stay ahead of the curve.
In
addition to being flexible in your approach, it is important to regularly
review and evaluate your strategies and plans. This allows for adjustments to
be made as needed, ensuring that you are always working towards your goals in
the most effective way possible.
Lean Tip #3627 – Make Sure You Have a Clear Vision and Strategy.
A clear
vision and strategy can help you to stay focused in a rapidly changing world.
It can also help you to make decisions quickly and efficiently. When your
organization knows where it is going, it is less likely to be derailed by
change. This is because your strategy acts as a roadmap, guiding you towards
your goals even when circumstances change.
To ensure
that your vision and strategy remain relevant and effective in the face of
change, it is important to regularly review and update them. This may involve consulting with
stakeholders, conducting market research, and staying informed about industry
trends. By doing so, you can ensure that your organization is always moving in
the right direction. Remember, a clear vision and strategy are not static
documents, they should be constantly evolving to meet the ever-changing needs
of your organization.
Lean Tip
#3628 – Cultivate a Growth Mindset
A growth
mindset is the belief that our abilities and intelligence can be developed
through dedication and hard work. It’s about embracing challenges, viewing
setbacks as opportunities for growth, and persisting in the face of obstacles.
Developing a growth mindset is essential for adaptability because it allows us
to see change as an opportunity for learning and personal development.
To
cultivate a growth mindset, start by embracing challenges and setbacks. Instead
of shying away from difficult tasks, embrace them as opportunities for growth.
Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and take on new
experiences. Remember, failure is not a reflection of your abilities but an
opportunity to learn and improve.
Lean Tip
#3629 – Build Self-Awareness
Self-awareness
is the ability to recognize and understand our own emotions, strengths,
weaknesses, and motivations. It’s about knowing who we are and how we respond
to different situations. Building self-awareness is crucial for adaptability
because it allows us to identify areas for improvement and make necessary
adjustments.
To build
self-awareness, take time for self-reflection. Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses
and identify areas where you can improve. Seek feedback from others and be open
to constructive criticism. The more you understand yourself, the better
equipped you will be to adapt to different situations.
Lean Tip
#3630 – Enhance Problem-Solving Skills
Problem-solving
skills are essential for adaptability. When faced with challenges or obstacles,
being able to approach them with a solution-oriented mindset is crucial. It
involves being proactive, seeking alternative strategies, and being willing to
take risks.
To
enhance your problem-solving skills, start by approaching problems with a
solution-oriented mindset. Instead of dwelling on the problem, focus on finding
solutions. Break down the problem into smaller, manageable steps, and
brainstorm alternative strategies. Be willing to take risks and try new
approaches. The more you practice problem-solving, the more adaptable you will
become.