“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” – Steve Jobs
When’s the last time you came up with a new way of doing things? Claiming that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is the number one killer to creativity and progress. Resist the urge to just coast in leadership. Never say “this is the way we’ve always done it.” As a leader, you should evaluate your team’s operations on a regular basis. Even if everything is running smooth, challenge your team to come up with new methods of doing things. Ask “what if….” You might be surprised at the endless possibilities of answers.
According to study by IBM, “creativity is now the most important leadership quality for success in business.” Remember, creativity is not restricted to artists and designers. Leaders in all professions need an element of creativity to lead more effectively and take their team to the next level.
So, never get too comfortable. Always embrace fresh ideas. Do something no one has ever done before. If your team is constantly innovating, when a problem does arise, you’ll already have creative power flowing to solve the issue. Challenge your team to come up with the craziest solution possible. Even if the idea is totally unpractical, that idea has the potential to become the stepping stone to a brilliant practical idea. The point is to take the limits off and to get creative. And the more you do it, the better you’ll get.
The greatest leaders are those who challenged the status quo, took a risk, and thought outside of the box. Take a lesson from Steve Jobs. Push the limits. Be creative. Innovate.
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