Innovation depends on Leadership

Innovation Depends on Leaders


I have always believed that innovation not only depends on talented people but also on the leadership of the company.

Most company leaders I have come across are very structured people. They want to manage through rules and regulation. That makes life very easy but it might not be very easy for innovators in the organisation or creating an innovative environment within the organisation.

For example, if management is evaluating people through targets then it might not be a very conducive environment for people to innovate. This is because innovation entails some risks. So it is hardly possible to predict that an innovative idea would become successful in the very first attempt. Edison's effort to create an electric bulb is a classic example.

Hence, to create an innovative climate within an organisation, management must create an atmosphere that tolerates failures or even reward excellent failures. Then only innovation can thrive.

It is no good to have talented people only. Because talent without the right environment and resources mean nothing. They can't show or display their talent. Perhaps this is the reason why so many talented people run to the USA to get an opportunity to play with their innovative skills and talent. The same person who might choose to work in India might be an utter failure.

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