(L to R: KLBW, Theartigrade, Rudiriet)
Many people must confront what it means to lead innovation without having done it. If you find yourself in that situation, follow the advice of Bob Sutton and spend as much time as you can understanding the nature of the work.
Beyond that, you can go a long way towards becoming a leader of innovation by keeping in mind seven words. Here are the first six:
Share Direction
Give Permission
Provide Support
The tendency is to focus on the second word of each of the first three pairings: Direction, Permission and Support. They feel concrete and leader-ly. To encourage the actions you want, the first words (Share, Give, Provide) are more important however.
With Direction, you should listen for opportunities, not assume you know them. Don't tell someone how to do the job, but instead help them discover the right question.
Permission is a gift, you have to be generous with it.
Support isn't just about books and methods and tools, you have to see yourself as a provider of energy, optimism and emotional support too.
What's the last word? Think Jeff Bezos.
Commit
Designing an innovation strategy and promoting a culture of innovation takes years, not months. It's a learning process that takes learning, investment, failure and risk. Without leadership commitment, employees might choose to "wait it out" or risks that don't pan out can put a halt to the whole show.
