INNOVATION BLOG

Do you remember playing tug-of-war as a kid? It was a game of two teams holding on to either side of a rope, and each team had to try to pull the other over a line down the middle. When it comes to change and innovation, that’s exactly what happens individually, in our teams, and...

We’re all familiar with the old phrase “what got me here, is not going to get me there”, and this is even more important when things are moving so fast and changing so quickly. The things that got us to success yesterday, or even today, aren't working anymore, or they're not working as well as...

As leaders, we know that it is critical to today's changing times to think differently about what's in front of us. We need to get out of “business as usual” and break through the status quo mindset to push our teams to get more innovation, growth, and new opportunities. That’s where strategic thinking comes in. ...

On any given day in work and life, how many processes do you have to follow, systems do you have to access, and initiatives are you a part of? If you’re like most of us, it probably numbers in the hundreds. But here’s the question: how many of those processes, systems, initiatives are you truly...

Why is Failure Important to Innovation? Failure is a word we hear a lot in business. Many companies use it in their mantra. People say things like, “Love your failures” and “You can’t succeed without failure.” And these things are true! However, many people only think about the “power of failure” on a superficial level....

For my first 10-minute bust of innovation, I thought I’d tackle a more intimate topic surrounding innovation: Fear, Comfort, and Constraints.    Let’s start with FEAR:  Fear hits you right in the gut. Fear of failure, fear of consequences, fear of looking stupid, fear of looking worthy…the list goes on. It shows up as anxiety...

I’ve been living out of a suitcase for the past three weeks.  That doesn’t sound too bad if you are on vacation. But in my case, it involved two kids, a dog and not having any idea where we were going to live. I sold our home of 12 years faster than expected and couldn’t...

Have you ever heard or felt any of these sentiments?  “People were so excited and then things just went back to business as usual.” “Leadership announced our new innovation initiatives at the company-wide meeting but then I didn’t hear another word about it.” “There was a lot of fanfare in the beginning but then it...

 In just over a minute, learn three ways overcome unconscious bias - also known as confirmation bias. We all have it and it colors how we see the world. What you don't know, is how much it slows you down. Your own confirmation bias doesn't allow you to be open to new, innovative thoughts...

What motivates you, might not motivate others. In fact, it’s more likely that what motivates you doesn’t motivate others. Here are some things to consider when you’re trying to motivate others - either the individuals on the team you lead or other teammates you work closely with. Framing the project or task First off, don’t...