Innovation in Difficult Times: Developing Innovative Leaders

Dr. Maynard BrusmanConsulting Psychologist & Executive CoachWe help companies assess, select, coach, and retain emotionally intelligent leaders

INARF Preconference Leadership Symposium 3-9-2010

Learning Objectives

o How to create an innovative culture.o How to develop a disruptive mindset.o How abundance impedes innovation.o How constraints often enable innovation.o How to enhance creativity. o How to embrace change and thrive.

Ambitious Agenda

o Part OneLearn New IdeasProvoke Thinking & Emotions

o Part Two Action Learning ExerciseCollaborate - Share Ideas & Resources

Quotes

“The business enterprise has two, and only two basic functions:marketing and innovation. It is not necessary for a business togrow bigger, but it is necessary that it constantly grow better.”

— Peter Drucker

“Foremost among life’s teaching is the recognition that humanspossess the capability to deal with complexity andinterconnection. Human creativity and commitment are ourgreatest resources.” — Margaret Wheatley

“Everything in the world already exists; whatever seems new issomething old rearranged.” – Max de Pree

My Pet Rock Story

A Whole New Mindset

o Whatever thinking got you here won’t get you there.

o Right brain thinkers invent the future.o Storytellers.

Workplace Innovation Definition

oThe process of turning new ideas into stakeholder benefit.

The Innovation Imperative

oChange or die.

Most Innovative Companies

Spark of CreativityoWhat can look like madness in

business is often the solution.

The Secrets of Innovation

oCreative ModelsoReal-World ImpactoFar-sighted Risk-TakingoParadigm-busting Execution

Strategic Innovation Inquiry

o Is innovation a strategic focus?o Describe your innovation culture? o Does your organization value

innovation?oWho cares about innovation and why?oWhere is the spirit of innovation alive?

Creating a Climate of Trusto Failure means learning.

Creating a Climate for Innovation

o Innovate to survive and thrive.oDesign for change as the norm.oCreate purposeful, focused change.oNurture atmosphere of creativity.oBelieve failure is learning.o Innovation is work rather than

genius.

Employee Engagement o Happy employees drive innovation.o Gallup Study: Engaged employees inspire

company innovation.o Engaged employees best source of new

ideas.o Who’s driving innovation at your agency?

Tough Times Call for Disruptive Innovation

oNecessity is the mother of invention.oOld rules for success

become recipes for failure.oWhatever got you here won’t

create a sustainable future.

Disruptors are Game Changers

oDisruptors change the game.o Disruptive Innovations

*Apple’s iPAD

Disruptive Innovation Mindset

oDevelop a disruptive mindset.

1. What to stop doing…2. Start doing3. Do differently

The Abundance Paradox

oToo much time or money.oFollow fatally flawed strategies.oConstraints enable innovation.

The Leadership Challenge

o Embrace paradox and systematize disruptive innovation.

o Develop awareness of self and others.o Learn to ask “what if…” questions.o Innovative leadership with executive

coach.

The Innovative Leader’s DNA

oFive “discovery skills”1.Associating2.Questioning3.Observing4.Experimenting5.Networking

ReinventionoSeries of transformations.oNot changing what is, but creating

what isn’t.

Case Study

oNext Life

Let Go of Stress and Relax “T” Shirt

Neuroscience –The Creative Brain

Mindmappingo Exploring Creativity and Problem-Solving

Harness Creative Talents

Build a Climate for Creativity o Know employees creative strengths.o Recognize and reward creative

contribution.o Make it safe to take risks.o Reduce stress through play and humor.o Present problems as a game.o Involve everyone in building creative

collaboration.

6 Managerial Creativity Practices1.Challenge2.Freedom3.Resources4.Work-Group Features5.Supervisory Encouragement6.Organizational Support

Meaning is the Key to Engaging Creativity

1. Who is my self?2. What is my work?

5 Qualities of Creativity

1. Intuition2. Will3. Joy4. Strength5. Compassion

Four Tools

1. Faith in your own creativity2. Absence of judgment3. Precise observation4. Penetrating questions

Negativity Creates a Death Spiralo Negativity, judgment and fear are the

enemies of creativity.

o Proactive vs. Reactiveo Positive Psychology

Taking the Mystery Out of Innovation

oCapture good ideas.oKeep ideas alive and

accessible.oImagine new uses for old ideas.oPut promising concepts to the

test.

Seven Sources of New Ideas1. Unexpected occurrences2. Incongruities3. Process needs4. Industry and market changes5. Demographic changes6. Changes in perception7. New knowledge

Enhancing Creativity

oEngage employees intrinsic motivation.oTap into underlying values.o Develop resourcefulness.

1. Expertise 2. Creative-thinking skills

Team Creativityo Add innovation to your competency

model.o Involve team in building creative

collaboration.o Innovation feedback

● I want you to stop doing…

● I want you to continue doing…● I want you to start doing…

Creating an Idea Factory: Lessons from Edison

o World’s first R& D invention factory.

o Use old ideas and materials in new ways.o Innovation requires hard, focused and

purposeful work.

Innovative Change Questions Exercise

oWhat needs to change in your organization to thrive?oWhat do you need to start doing,

stop doing and do differently?

Action Learning Exercise

oCreatively apply one idea to your workplace.

Questions & Answers

Developing InnovativeLeaders for a Sustainable Future

o Innovation Leadership Coachingo Coaching helps leaders develop their

skills to do more with less.• Assessment & Feedback for Self-Insight• Identification of Strengths & Weaknesses• Creation of Goals and Action Plans• Develop and Practice Problem-Solving Skills• Seed the Creation of an Innovation Culture

Innovation Leadership Coach

Working Resources

Thank You!

Resources for Further Information

o Dweck, C.S. (2006). Mindset –The New Psychology of Success. New York, NY: Ballatine Books.

o Pink, D.H (2006). A Whole New Mind – Why Right-Brainers Will Rule The Future. New York, NY: Penguin Group.

o Wycoff, J. (1991). Mindmapping. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam.

o Michalko, M., (2006). Thinkertoys. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.

o Epstein, R. (2000).The big book of creativity games. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Social Media

o Connect with me on these Social Media sites. http://twitter .com/drbrusmanhttp://www.facebook.com/maynardbrusmanhttp://www.linkedin.com/in/maynardbrusmanhttp://www.youtube.com/user/maynardbrusman

Dr. Maynard BrusmanConsulting Psychologist & Executive Coach

Working Resources P .O. Box 471525 San Francisco, California 94147 Tel: 415-546-1252E-mail: mbrusman@workingresources.comWeb Site: http://www.workingresources.comSubscribe to Working Resources Newsletter:http://www.workingresources.comVisit Maynard's Blog:http://www.workingresourcesblog.com