Innovation is only as good as the ideas that are generated and shared with other parts of the organism to which they refer. I think of innovation as something that is incredibly organic in nature – a bit like a conversation or those whacky discussions where an out of kilter concept is expanded upon and becomes more and more ridiculous as time goes by.
I’m thinking of the usual theatrical concept of a farce. Take a situation that starts out relatively simply and then gradually develops into the most complicated set of circumstances that you can imagine. Innovation should be seen in the same light. Take the germ of an idea and then through playing verbally with that idea with other people it begins to evolve and gain a life of its own. As it grows and develops it becomes something far more useful and refined.
It is rather like the musical concept of “Jamming”. Start out with a standard three chord riff and then give each member of the group the opportunity to do a solo. Get each member of the team to expand upon the initial “theme” (rather like Elgar’s Enigma Variations) and develop the musical idea. Eventually the theme will grow to maturity and there may even be material there that could form a coherent piece of music.
Jamming for Innovation is the same concept – take a group of people either in a room or with a collaboration site and allow them to play with the ideas that they have and expand upon each idea. Allow the wild and whacky – encourage it even – as it generates the offshoot ideas that may also develop into something worthwhile. It is fun to do and can develop into a culture for an organisation.
You have to have lots of ideas in order to have a good one! The challenge for leaders is to create the environment where the only focus is creativity – the very fact that you have an(y) idea is good. There should be no prejudice in this initial phase as to whether the idea has merit or not. Jammin’s is a great way to describe it and the musical analogy stands up – how many jammin’ sessions never make it out of the 4 walls but every so often that gem will come along. Often it is obvious at first – the idea can grow almost organically from session to session before it is finally realised and conciously developed further.