According to G. Michael Maddock and Raphael Louis Viton on BusinessWeek.com, the first step towards managing innovation is addressing a key question from employees: "Why should I follow you?"
The question needs to be answered immediately, say the authors, otherwise the full attention and best work of the employees will not be guaranteed.
Maddock and Viton offer the following advice:
- Focus on the essential. Important is rational; essentials are emotional. The important goes on a to-do list while the essentials go on a to-die-for list.
- Stay above the drama. Don't act like a victim and don't look for something or someone else to blame. As a leader, you cannot afford to waste energy by focusing on the wrong things.
- Lean into adversity and find opportunities. Don't panic in difficult times, or play it safe. Stick to your growth strategy and believe in yourself.
Source
Question No. 1 for Managers of Innovation
G. Michael Maddock and Raphael Louis Viton
BusinessWeek.com