In today’s technology-driven business world, innovation is the engine that drives new products, services, and applications. In my biotechnology industry role, I see diverse types of innovation on a daily basis. Each breakthrough springs from an integration of factors that spur bold thinking and bring exciting discoveries.
The ICI Continuum’s Role
The Lincoln Center Institute’s Scott Noppe-Brandon explained that innovation is the end point of the three-part ICI Continuum. First, Imagination carves out a place to discover possibilities. Creativity soon emerges and sparks remarkable Innovation.
Not surprisingly, workplace culture is a key contributor to innovation. A culture that encourages the free flow of ideas, and invites a connection to an organization’s vision and mission, offers fertile ground for creativity and innovation. Even better, this applies to companies in virtually every industry.
6 Factors That Foster Creativity and Innovation
In my view, six factors help drive this collaborative workplace. Each factor works in concert with others to create optimal conditions for creativity and innovation. However, workplaces are constantly evolving. When new variables and dynamics unfold, the team leader must fine-tune their strategies.
An Atmosphere Conducive to Innovation
A culture that drives innovation begins with well-designed technological platforms and infrastructure, especially in the era post-COVID where a reasonable percentage of the workforce are still remote. Next, forward-thinking leaders develop an effective method of cultivating (and recording) team members’ ideas.
In many cases, the hierarchy between leaders and team members fades into the background. No-boundaries collaboration, and support of other team members’ efforts, are much more important.
Leaders strongly believe that team members collectively possess an overflowing font of creativity. In this high-trust environment, leaders invite the exchange of ideas on diverse topics. With rare exceptions, the leaders listen to team members’ proposals and suggestions. Innovation is a natural outgrowth of these highly creative exchanges.
A Favorable Attitude Toward Risk
In any industry, significant breakthroughs require an element of risk. In my career, every drug discovery or other scientific advance or any new startup has involved risk in some way. Over the years, I have become well acquainted with learning curves and “thoughtful pivots”.Stated another way, things rarely turn out as planned.
Risk taking is also prevalent in high-trust workplace cultures geared to innovation. “What if” scenarios, structured tests, and prototypes play key roles in every discovery. Failures are also exceedingly common, and they can derail the entire project. By regarding failures as learning experiences rather than setbacks, the team can keep moving forward and growing.
Love for Learning in Every Form
Team members who bring a natural curiosity to their jobs should be given plenty of opportunities to learn. Maybe they learn by doing, likely making mistakes before they discover a better or more efficient way of reaching a goal.
Perhaps they thrive on self-paced online courses that provide a working knowledge of a new technology or discipline. Alternatively, certain companies offer opportunities to learn from experts via online summits or onsite educational events.
Certain team members may be better suited to working with an inspiring mentor. Regardless of the individual’s path, I would take the interactive “hands off” approach, where leaders spend the time to have an appreciation of the details to be able to communicate effectively but at the same time have reception for team members feedback and empower them to lead with their ideas.
High Team Member Participation
Getting (and keeping) all team members focused on innovation can be tricky. They can become sidetracked with other projects or otherwise drift off on counterproductive tangents. It is very important to promote productive innovation that guides the company and the team towards their goals to help achieve the ultimate mission and vision for the organization.
First, the very nature of innovation dictates that the company should reject the status quo. Leaders and team members should seek new ways of solving problems and conquering challenges. This may call for an integration of varied approaches and techniques ─ all geared to accomplishing the goal.
During team meetings, extroverts naturally step up with comments and/or ideas. This can discourage less-outgoing team members from speaking at all. To give the entire group a chance to contribute, the team leader should ask everyone to share their thoughts on preset agenda topics. Speakers should have an opportunity to present their point(s) without interruption. Also making an effort to meet with different team members at every level is critical for leaders to steer their organization effectively.
Speed and Forward Momentum
Biotechnology is a fast-paced industry that thrives on innovation. For perspective, I often see multiple companies working on a single problem. Therefore, it’s crucial to arrive at a solution before the competition does.
To accomplish this goal, teams must move quickly while remaining agile enough to change course if needed. Cross-functional collaboration is also much more efficient than a time-wasting functional hand-off.
As someone who previously worked on drug development projects, I know time is of the essence. These strategies will certainly make a difference during the project’s life cycle.
A Dynamic, Dedicated Team is Key to Success
A leader cannot bring their vision to the world by themselves. That’s where a talented, committed team makes all the difference. I always look for team members with an innate curiosity and targeted expertise. I believe candidates without a specific skillset, but with a “can do” spirit, can also be valuable additions.
Next, a “lean” methodology offers every team member the opportunity to make an equal contribution. With minimal organizational hierarchy, the team is completely free to brainstorm ideas and solve problems. The lean model also emphasizes continuous improvement, guided by feedback from the leader and fellow team members.
Team members who share a common goal typically have multiple opportunities to engage with each other. Sharing ideas, and passing along knowledge to fellow team members, may help spark new ways of solving problems and brainstorming new product offerings. This creates the perfect environment for innovation.
Surprisingly, positive competition often helps build a stronger team. A friendly competition based on mutually important goals is ideal. Clear, realistic objectives and valued incentives or prizes will combine to hold participants’ interest. This high-energy, competitive mindset often translates into higher productivity and sparks innovation.
Team members who work closely together, have ongoing opportunities to uplift each other. Maybe a team member needs support while executing a challenging assignment or navigating a troublesome personal issue. Regardless of the reason, offering support in any form may benefit the recipient while creating a stronger bond within the team.