Walking the Talk

There is always a challenge for leaders to learn the specific management techniques and behaviors they can adopt in order to build the culture they want.  You’ve defined your target culture, innovation is one of your top priorities, now what do you actually have to DO as a leader?

I found a good video made by Honda in which the CEO Takeo Fukua describes a technique he uses called ‘kicking out the ladder’, similar to the English expression ‘burning your bridges’.  By setting up a situation where not innovating will cause the team to fail, or to lose face, innovation follows.  Here is the video.

I am often asked whether fear is a good motivator.  My answer is that some fear, that adrenelin rush associated with being on the edge, does motivate and focus, (Think of the impact a deadline has on you).  Too much fear will paralyse, or cause individuals to operate in a dysfunctional manner.  A lot depends on the culture within which the people are operating.  A culture of punishment and intimidation will increase fear levels and make normal situations fear inducing.  A culture of support and encouragement, combined with a demanding stretch, will enable a healthy level of adrenelin flow.

Take a look at the examples Honda gives on how they manage this.  I think they do it pretty well.

We found this video in a blog written by a consulting firm called Innovate on Purpose, who seem to have other good things to say about innovation.

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