Fear v. Innovation
Innovation Killers
When fear exists, innovation is the first casualty. Take this simple assessment to evaluate yourself / your organization for innovation culture. Simply ask yourself (first), do I? Grade yourself on a 1-5 scale (5 highest). Do the same for your team or department? Then discuss openly how to improve your scores by twenty points.
Trust drives out fear.
Transparency begets innovation.
Innovation wins customers.
1. Straight Talk: simple language, doesn’t manipulate, distort, or spin
2. Demonstrates Respect: genuinely cares, treats everyone with respect.
3. Creates Transparency: open, authentic, eliminates hidden agendas.
4. Rights Wrongs: tells it all, tells it first, tells it now, makes restitution.
5. Shows Loyalty: gives credit, accepts blame, doesn’t badmouth others.
6. Delivers: on time/budget, track record of results, doesn’t overpromise.
7. Gets Better: seeks feedback, improves, good self-awareness.
8. Confronts Reality: doesn’t skirt the issues, acknowledges the elephant.
9. Clarifies: Discloses expectations, dialogs openly, negotiates if necessary.
10. Accountable: Holds self/others accountable, takes responsibility.
11. Listens: Seeks to understand, then to be understood, genuinely hears.
12. Commits: makes and honors commitments, does what s/he says.
13. Gives Trust: has a propensity toward trusting, does not micromanage.
Best book: What Got You Here, Won’t Get you There, Goldsmith
Artwork: Curtis Parker
June 10th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Great!
Unfortunately many forget these simple rules and focus more on corporate politics and forwarding their own careers.
June 11th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Great article in June’s issue of Harvard Business Review titled “Innovation in Turbulent Times”. Fits well with Jerry’s post.