INNOVATION – INSIGHT 13 Change them! I struggle to see how an organisation can realise its potential without embracing innovation. Equally I struggle to see how an organisation can embrace innovation if it does not have the right culture. Establishing the right culture starts with having a board that encourages that culture. Leadership in terms […]

INNOVATION – INSIGHT 13 Change them! I struggle to see how an organisation can realise its potential without embracing innovation. Equally I struggle to see how an organisation can embrace innovation if it does not have the right culture. Establishing the right culture starts with having a board that encourages that culture. Leadership in terms of culture must come from the top. The CEO must have the full support of the board in creating a culture that encourages innovation. I was involved in a discussion on the AICD forum earlier this year in which participants were responding to the question – “Should boards have members who are lateral thinkers?” The fact that this question is even being debated concerns me. If an organisation is going to encourage innovation it needs to have a culture that encourages lateral thinking, idea sharing, collaboration, objective thinking and the forgiveness of mistakes. Further, for…