Introduction
Steel yourself, dear Readers! The future of work in general management is an ever-evolving landscape. As we gear up for what's to come, the mantra remains - 'Innovate or perish.' Today, we shall dive deep into a subject that's as complex as it is fascinating - fostering innovation as a general manager.
Wait! Before you roll your eyes at yet another 'innovation' blog, hear me out. We are not just talking about thinking outside the box. We are talking about transforming the box, folding it into an origami swan, setting it afloat in the company’s innovation stream, and... watching it sink or swim. Sounds fun, eh? So, let's get quirky with it!
1. Unfetter the Mavericks
Oh, the rebels, the quirks, the off-beats! Those envelope pushers who’d rather lick a cactus than conform! Let them loose, for they are your drivers of innovation. As per HBR, companies such as 3M, Google, and LinkedIn have all flourished by enabling their mavericks to run free. What say? Ready to unleash the kraken?
2. Foster a 'Fail Fast' culture
Failure? Nah, we don't do that in my team... said no successful General Manager ever. There's no point in hiding from it; every innovative leader knows that success is, in fact, moving from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm. Fail fast, learn quickly and move on. Elon Musk's SpaceX is known to celebrate its failures – like big whoop!
3. The Idea Incubator
Stimulate creativity by setting up an 'Idea Incubator'. Yes, incubating is not just for chickens anymore! Implement a system where any employee can pitch an innovative idea, explore it, and then ‘hatch’ it through collaborative effort. Did you know companies like Adobe and Google utilize this approach? Eggcellent, right?
4. Play 'Devil's Advocate'
Encouraging constructive dissent can lead to more robust innovative solutions. So, don your devil's horns, get down to the nitty-gritty, question assumptions, and challenge the consensus. I mean, you've played ‘Devil’s Advocate’ when defending pineapple on pizza (bless your taste buds), so you might as well play it with your strategy, right?
5. Rethink the Status Quo
Reevaluate company norms, challenge them, and dare to be disruptive. Sounds risky? Sure, but remember, all progress takes place outside the comfort zone. It's time to bend rules, to twist them, even break them occasionally (just don’t end up in handcuffs, alright?)
References
1. Harvard Business Review (HBR) - 'Three Types of Innovation Culture'.
2. Forbes - 'Fail Fast, Learn Fast' Culture.
3. INC - '5 Ways to Foster Innovative Thinking at Your Company'.
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