Innovation must be a way of life
“I will either find a way, or make one” is the famous quotation attributed to one of history’s great strategists, Hannibal of Carthage.
Back in 218 BC, he conquered Rome by bringing his army across the Alps. That was difficult enough, but Hannibal’s army also included African elephants, an extraordinary innovation and a military breakthrough.
In today’s world of rapid change, every organization dreams of an innovative breakthrough that could set it apart from the pack. But true innovators are a rare breed. Curiosity has to be the driver; curiosity to search for different ways to handle a situation. The leader has to encourage the practice of innovation as a way of life; otherwise, followers may happily live with the status quo and forget, to their peril, that nothing stands still.
The European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP) has adopted the slogan: “What got us here,won’t get us there”. And ECCP Cebu, celebrating its 25th Anniversary last week, is convinced that it can ‘imagineer’ the organization into the next 25 years, being aware of change and act like children who wonder how things work around them, stepping out of the comfort zone, and create a new and challenging agenda for the organization.
“Innovation distinguishes between leader and follower”, said the late Steve Jobs, who was considered second to none for this ability to conceive and create innovative products. Abstract reasoning is a solid foundation for successful leaders since many who possess it have an enhanced ability to anticipate and predict what will happen in the future. It is a cognitive ability that is the result of right-brain functioning.
The difference between innovation and entrepreneurship leaders is their area of focus. Innovative business leaders mainly drive their teams to create new products and services but are less concerned about the people in the process. On the other hand, innovative managerial leaders tend to make the people equation an important part of their managerial decisions.
Both types of leaders require high abstract reasoning ability; otherwise they would not be able to see through complex issues. In addition, they need above-average verbal reasoning, which is the result of left-brain functioning.
The management guru Peter Drucker once said: “Innovation is the specific instrument of entrepreneurship. It is the act that endows resources with a new capacity to create wealth. Innovation, indeed, creates a resource.” Leaders who take Drucker’s words to heart and focus on innovation demonstrate one of the components of great leadership, or the 6 C’s: Clear vision, Communication, Conscientiousness (integrity), Constancy (emotional stability), Courage and Curiosity (Innovation).
- Latest
