Innovation can feel like an elusive, never-ending goal. Many leaders feel stuck or worry they won’t be able to keep up. Or, for some, they may feel like they’ve arrived — and that’s the greatest danger of all.
We’ve all heard the myth that sharks need to keep swimming to stay alive. While that’s true for a few species, most sharks must keep moving to stay afloat, otherwise, they’ll sink. This is true for leaders as well: they need to be constantly moving, innovating, and open to change. If they stop moving and growing, they — and their organizations — will sink.
On the other hand, by constantly challenging the status quo and being willing to adapt, we’ll be able to help our team and our organizations thrive — no matter what comes our way. So, how can we maintain an innovative mindset and continue growing?
Here are four simple questions to ask to encourage an innovative mindset.
1. Why?
Often, it’s easy for us to get in the habit of doing things simply because it’s what we’ve always done. However, it’s important that we stop and consider the reasons behind our actions. And that often starts by asking, “Why?”
Take time to analyze your processes and ask if they are still relevant to your organization’s goal and mission. Examine the core motivations behind your strategies and workflows. Do they align with your current mission or contribute to your organization’s overall success? By constantly challenging your “whys,” you’ll be able to keep your organization in line with your mission and vision and create a fresh sense of purpose and unity.
2. Is there a better way?
Just as you need to consider the “whys” behind what you do, it’s equally important to analyze the “how.” Are your current methods the most efficient they can be? Are your teams operating at their fullest potential? One way to quickly identify areas you can improve is by looking for the areas that are particularly challenging or are taking the most time.
Often, time-heavy tasks reveal opportunities for growth and improvement. These can give you a good starting point to focus your attention and begin making positive changes. By constantly looking for ways to improve, you’ll stay ahead of the trends and prevent stagnation before it happens so you and your team can continue operating at their fullest potential. There are always new programs, technologies, and strategies being developed to help you and your organization succeed — so be sure to take advantage of them!
3. What’s missing?
Once you’ve made changes to your existing processes, you need to look for areas where you can start to truly innovate. To do that, you need to be able to take a step back and see not only what’s there, but what isn’t.
What’s missing from your organization? Are there processes, technologies, or strategies that would help your teams thrive beyond where they are now? Put some thought into what would be a value add, both to areas that are struggling and to areas that are already doing well. Consider what would help them do better, and don’t be afraid to try new ways of doing things. By taking time to analyze what’s missing from our organizations and being open to trying new things, we’ll be able to innovate in ways we never thought possible.
4. What can I do differently?
It’s often easy for us to see ways we can improve other areas of our organization. But it’s harder to notice if we have become stagnant and see the steps we can take to improve ourselves.
Start by asking those around you for feedback. Ask what you’re doing well, what you can do better, and what you could do differently. Regularly invite your team to share their feedback and encourage regular discussion on what can be improved, both in your leadership and in the organization as a whole. Then, challenge yourself to implement their feedback where you can. Doing so will help you continue growing while creating a strong team that is constantly on the lookout for ways to improve your organization.
Innovation is not a one-time action. Developing an innovative mindset requires constant analysis, regular adjustments, and consistent action. But by doing so, you’ll set yourself and your organization up for success — and be ready to meet whatever challenges may come.