Page 76 - The John Adair Handbook of Management and Leadership

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5 Overcoming obstacles to innovation

Managers must ensure that creativity and innovation are not killed
off by:

1 an initial response of outright condemnation, ridicule, rejection,
damning criticism or faint praise

2 the vested interest of a particular person or department
3 too early an evaluation/judgement – sometimes suspending
judgement early on can see an idea grow and reach a strong stage
where it will work.

Managers who are creative and act in innovation-friendly ways have
not only the usual leadership skills (of defining objectives, planning,
controlling, supporting and reviewing in the areas of task, team and
individual needs) but also are able to:
• accept risk

• work with half-formed ideas
• bend the rules

• respond quickly
• be enthusiastic (to motivate others).

Organisations and innovation
The business organisation itself has to provide an environment in
which creativity and innovation can flourish and the five hallmarks
of those organisations that actually are good at innovation (and not
just paying lip service to it) are:
1 top level commitment
2 flexible in organisational structure

3 tolerant of failure (and not risk averse)
4 encouraging of team work and innovation

5 good at open and constructive communication.

66 The John Adair Handbook of Management and Leadership