Innovation and Creativity

I recently heard  Glenn Karwoski speak.  He is managing director of Karwoski and Courage and teaches innovation and creativity to corporations.  He knows how to help organizations make creativity and innovation actionable.  

To see and think differently is simple and not easy.  Glenn suggests creating an innovation team.  In order to do that, ask and answer the question, to whom did I write my 10 biggest checks.  Make those individuals a part of the team.  Include vendors and partners that will help with the business.  Manage the process as follows:

1. Clarify why the team is working together.
2. Make operating guidelines explicit.
3. Create an agenda and send ahead of time. 
4. Depersonalize conflict by creating norms and uderstanding the differences of team members.  

For the innovation and creativity process to be successful try the following:

• Encourage wild ideas.
• Go for quantity
• Build on ideas.
• Allow one idea at a time.
• Hold one conversation at a time.
• Avoid judgement.  

Innovation is necessary for sustained success.  What is your organization doing to promote innovation and creativity?