When I Hear "My Team Isn't Big on Innovation," Part of My Soul Dies
As a designer, innovation is my lifeblood. It’s not just something I think about during work hours—it’s a mindset I carry with me everywhere I go. I constantly find myself wondering, “What were the decisions that led to this?” Regardless of your role in a business, you always have a unique perspective that can contribute to innovation. Below are five ways you can foster innovation within your team, along with examples from my own journey in the product space.
1. Foster a Culture of Curiosity
Innovation begins with curiosity. Encourage your team to ask questions, explore new ideas, and challenge the status quo. Create an environment where it’s safe to take risks and experiment without fear of failure. Regular brainstorming sessions and “innovation days,” where team members can work on passion projects, can help keep creativity alive.
In some organisations, rigid structures can stifle curiosity. However, there’s no harm in asking “Why?”—and sometimes you need to ask it five times to get to the root cause. I’ve found that when I asked leaders or managers "Why," they often admitted they were too afraid to ask the same question. But once the reason was surfaced, we were able to make better, more informed decisions. So, don’t hesitate to respectfully challenge by asking, “Why?”
2. Embrace Diversity and Inclusion
Diverse teams bring different perspectives, experiences, and ideas to the table, which can lead to more innovative solutions. Make sure to include people from various backgrounds, disciplines, and skill sets in your innovation efforts. This diversity can help you see problems from different angles and come up with unique solutions that might not be possible in a more homogeneous group.
Building trust within your team is crucial. Some cultures may not be comfortable with open challenges, so provide other ways for team members to contribute. Once trust is earned, you'll start seeing things from all angles.
3. Stay Close to Your Customers
Your customers are a goldmine of insights and ideas. Regularly engage with them to understand their needs, pain points, and desires. Use surveys, interviews, and feedback loops to gather information. Then, leverage this data to inform your innovation strategy. By keeping a finger on the pulse of your customer base, you can develop products and services that truly meet their needs and stay ahead of the competition.
As a Product and UX professional, I need to dive deep into customer verbatim feedback. While I value the research team's findings, they sometimes struggle to connect customer emotions and descriptions with actual product issues. This can lead to wasted effort. It’s perfectly reasonable for product people to request the raw verbatim data. Sharing this data fosters empathy and a deeper understanding among leaders and team members. I’ve even seen large projects put on hold because the CEO wanted to personally review customer verbatim before making a decision. On the flip side, I’ve also witnessed CEOs ignore customer data and continue down a flawed path, which only reinforces the importance of staying close to your customers.
4. Invest in Continuous Learning and Development
Technology can be a powerful enabler of innovation. Invest in the latest tools and platforms that streamline processes, improve collaboration, and enhance creativity. For example, project management software, design thinking tools, and prototyping platforms can all support your innovation efforts. Additionally, keep an eye on emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchain, and explore how they might drive innovation in your organisation.
For me, tools like Miro have been game-changers. Being able to lay out design thinking frameworks on a virtual whiteboard and collaborate in real time with my team has significantly enhanced our engagement and idea refinement. While tools like ChatGPT are great for challenging our thinking and exploring alternatives, nothing beats the synergy of teamwork.
5. Leverage Technology and Tools
Technology can be a powerful enabler of innovation. Invest in the latest tools and platforms that can help streamline processes, improve collaboration, and enhance creativity. For example, project management software, design thinking tools, and prototyping platforms can all support your innovation efforts. Additionally, keep an eye on emerging technologies like AI and blockchain, and explore how they might be leveraged to drive innovation in your organisation.
Miro was a game changer for me, allowing me to lay out various design thinking frameworks on a whiteboard, collaborate with my team, and refine ideas effectively. ChatGPT is also useful for challenging thinking and exploring alternatives, but nothing beats teamwork.
Conclusion
Innovation is not a one-time event but a continuous process that requires dedication, openness, and a willingness to adapt. By fostering a culture of curiosity, embracing diversity, staying close to your customers, investing in learning and development, and leveraging technology, you can create an environment where innovation thrives. Remember, the key to staying ahead in today’s fast-paced product space is to keep evolving and never stop seeking new ways to improve.
