Something we all hear a lot about but struggle to integrate into our lives is innovation. Innovation can be a bit tricky. One of the reasons innovation is tricky is because we humans are creatures of habit, often finding comfort in the familiar, even when innovation is necessary. Another challenge when it comes to innovation is our desire to be accepted and fit in.
To understand innovation better, I’d like to start by sharing a story about a man who holds a very special place in my heart (a not-so-subtle brag….I won the city championship in high school using his technique). He's none other than the late great Dick Fosbury. Now, you may be wondering, who is Dick Fosbury? Well, Fosbury introduced the world to an innovative high jump technique called the "Fosbury Flop". He literally turned the conventional method of high jump on its head in the 1960’s.
Initially, Fosbury was criticized and ridiculed for trying this new high jump technique even by his own coaches. Fosbury was following a hunch that he could get his center of mass higher if he jumped over the high jump bar backwards. At the time, the standard technique was to go over the bar forward in what was called the western roll. At first, as you can imagine, he struggled to perfect his technique all the while enduring jeers and heckling from onlookers. The criticism and laughter stopped when Fosbury set an Olympic record and took home the gold in the 1968 Olympic games in Mexico City. The Fosbury Flop wasn’t a flop at all. High jumpers today still use it.
Dick Fosbury's story is a powerful reminder that we should not crumble under criticism when we try something new and different. To foster innovation in our lives, we must build a "Dick Fosbury mentality," unafraid of criticism and persistence in the face of failure. I can imagine there is a high jumper somewhere trying a new style while being criticized and told you have to use the Fosbury Flop.
“It’s all too easy to crumble under criticism, especially when we try something new and different.”
For entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone trying to do something different, it's critical to understand that everything around you, every invention and creation you see, at some point, didn't exist. Each of these creations had a birthplace in the mind of someone who probably had to withstand a fair amount of criticism, defy the naysayers, and keep pushing boundaries.
If you are a manager or a leader of a team and want more innovation, here are five tips to consider:
1. Foster an Environment that Embraces Change
We've all heard the discouraging phrases: "We don't do that around here," "We tried that, it didn't work," and so on. But when you're in an environment that encourages innovation, you can start to ignore these discouragements and focus on pushing boundaries, trying new things, and embracing the possibility of failure as a stepping stone toward success.
2. Seek Cross-functional and Diverse Perspectives
Innovation is not just about technology. It’s about being creative in all walks of life. Innovation means finding new ways of doing things, often requiring resilience and perseverance. Embrace the idea of failure as a learning opportunity, foster cross-functional collaboration for diverse perspectives, and encourage curiosity in your team.
3. Empower Your Employees
It's also crucial to trust and empower your employees. Giving them autonomy and ownership over their ideas can spur innovation and engagement. After all, when you're invested in an idea, you're more likely to be proactive and creative about finding ways to make it work.
4. Invest the Time in Innovation
Another way to foster innovation is to think of new ideas as Bamboo seeds. Nurture them, water them, and help them grow. Don't give up before they've had a chance to grow. It's also important to carve out dedicated time for brainstorming and idea generation, giving ideas the space they need to evolve and mature.
5. Celebrate Innovation
Let's celebrate innovation in all forms – small or big, successful or unsuccessful. Because every step we take on the path of innovation, no matter how small, is a victory. We must celebrate these victories to reinforce a culture of innovation and progress.
Innovation may be easy to talk about, but putting it into practice requires breaking away from routines, embracing change, and learning to forgive ourselves and others when things don't go as planned. But if you really want change, embrace your Fosbury moment and give it a go!
This post is based on a podcast episode by Greg Bell.
Listen below for the full episode: