InnoCentive is now part of Wazoku
Harnessing the power of innovation is the key for every company and organization. R&D Teams who are more innovative will more quickly overcome challenges and find new ways to solve their organization’s challenges. Being innovative is more than having the education necessary in your field, it’s about forming the right habits that increase the number of innovative ideas that come to mind. These are some of the most common habits exhibited by innovative people.
They Pursue Their Passions
Some of the most innovative people in the world reach their goals because they pursue their dreams. Doing things that you enjoy makes you much more innovative than you would otherwise be, and this fact makes sense when you look at it. When you do things that don’t interest you, your mind starts to wander, killing your innovation.
If you are a business leader, learn about your team members and the things that make them tick. Try giving people positions that involve doing things they enjoy, and you will watch them shine. As an employee, ask yourself if you are passionate about your career. When you are away from work, dedicate at least a little time each day to something you enjoy.
They Seek New Experiences and Knowledge
No matter your rank or the industry in which you work, seeking new knowledge and experiences will take your creativity up a notch or two. Innovative people formulate lists of the things they would like to learn or experiences they want to have. They then dedicate a little time each day to reading guides and lessons related to the topics they want to learn. Besides learning new topics, they also commit to having at least one or two new experiences each month.
They Question Everything
You will find that the most innovative people on the planet have open minds and question everything. As a business leader, question whether your way of handling problems is the best. Maybe traditional methods of innovation aren’t working, and maybe it’s time to try new methods. For example, many people are embracing open innovation because of how it is changing the innovation landscape. While doing so might not always be easy, embracing new ideas and methods of innovation opens the door for new solutions that could skyrocket your productivity. Make a habit of double-checking all the new information you learn. Although asking questions is vital, you must balance it by committing to the process the second you start a project.
They Are Willing to Fail
Few things in life kill creativity more than the fear of failing. If you are serious about letting creativity lead the way, accept that failure is a natural part of the process. The important thing is to decide the level of risk you are willing to take, and trying to learn something from each failure is another critical part of the puzzle.
Make New Habits
A key ingredient to business success, creativity is one of the most important traits R&D employees can have. If you have a hard time coming up with creative ideas and solutions, turn the tips you have just learned into daily habits. Doing so might take some time at first, but it’s worth the effort in the end. When you commit yourself to the process and make an effort to inspire your creative side, you will be pleased by what you can achieve.
