Recently, I attended a webinar with nearly 400 other Chief

Learning Officers - during one polling period, we were

asked what primary driving force pushes organization-wide

or individual innovation - the majority agreed that

leadership is that force. Indeed, those CLOs agreed innovation was the most important

quality their organizations desire in teams, individuals

and leaders. In today's fast-paced society, where images, ideas and

ideals fly past through our minds at warp-speed, the only

way to survive and succeed is to innovate as much and as

often as possible. I don't mean that you innovate for innovation's sake,

rather you must add value, improve quality and enhance

competence in every one of your tasks, products and

services and that work must be done in an highly innovative

fashion. What strategies can leaders use to empower, propel and

energize our innovative efforts?Strategy-1 - Empower the Quest!When we encounter inconsistencies, problems, difficulties,

incongruities, dysfunction, mysteries or challenges, aren't

those the times we notice that there are "gaps in our

knowledge"?When gaps are found we naturally want to search for

solutions, or ways to bridge or augment our knowledge. Leaders who aspire to leading others in authentic,

committed, honorable ways strive to channel the power of

open and forthright discussion and inquiry. In a word,

leaders with integrity are not afraid to seek out and face

the truth. Wise leaders realize that the truth contains its own energy

supply - through the pursuit of truth, our perceptions take

on keener insights, we see our situations from afar and we

can see them more clearly. What is truth? We need to understand that our knowledge is

insufficient [I like to call it, our "knowledge deficit"],

and after acknowledging that, we must hunt for facts, ideas

or theories to help us erase our knowledge-deficit. Strategy-2 - Propel the Momentum!When you begin the search for those 'deficit-filling' facts,ideas and theories, you will see, discover or uncover at

least one or more of these patterns and phenomena:=> the unexpected - are the results you got the results you

expected?=> the break in logic, assumption or rhythm - does there

seem to be something that is illogical or that doesn't make

sense under the circumstances?=> the change in structure or paradigm behind the "problem"

- is it possible that our industry, profession or

technology has changed or has those things experienced a

change in the way they are structured?Effective leaders "propel the momentum" of innovation by

challenging assumptions, traditions and comfort levels. By aggressively testing the results of every activity for

its contributions to productivity, resourcefulness and

growth, leaders can keep the "ball" of innovative momentum

rolling. Strategy-3 - Energize the Process!Asking the right questions guides leaders towards truth -

honestly searching for and fearlessly facing truthful

answers will lead you to successful ventures. Leaders can maximize their innovative opportunities by

adding energy to their everyday work processes. You can

build innovation into your tasks, relations and assessments

by keeping your objectives clearly in mind. "Inspect what you expect" are great words to lead and

manage by. Keep your goals, objectives, targets, milestones

and expectations in front of the group all the time. By checking what you budgeted, planned and organized for

against your actual outcomes, outputs and outpourings, you

will identify problems and be better able to adjust or

adapt your efforts before those challenges overwhelm your

progress. By unveiling the truth of your objectives and hopes, you

are walking on the path towards innovation - you will be '

on-the-right-track' to that place where you will:=> Do your work with or on things in different ways,=> Take more effective actions on the things that you work

with or on,=> Work with or on things with greater levels of efficiency. -----------------------------------------------------------"You cannot solve a problem until you acknowledge that you

have one and accept responsibility for solving it" - Zig

ZiglarLeading others to think, work and contribute more

innovatively means being skilled, trained and developed to

exploit your energy sources, along with the practices and

disciplines of innovation. It is possible to be taught the principles and concepts of

innovation. Leading a creative, evolutionary, innovative

organization is our highest priority for enjoying a healthy

and vibrant economy. "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what

is essential is invisible to the eye. " - Antoine de SaintUse your commitment to push our boundaries, your courage to

risk a different way, and your hope to discover a better

tomorrow as your guide - then lead us into that promised

land. Copyright? 2005, Mustard Seed Investments Inc. ,

All rights reserved. ------------------------------------------------------------ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Bill Thomas is author of "Leading A Creative, Evolutionary,

Innovative Organization!" - an idea-packed, 2-Volume set of

manuals to help you electrify, empower and infuse your

leadership with scientifically-proven, evolutionary,

results-producing strategies. Energize your innovation!http://www. leadership-toolkit. com/innovation. html------------------------------------------------------------

Author:
Bill Thomas