John Adair's 100 Greatest Ideas for Effective Leadership

Idea 64: Overcoming obstacles to creativity and innovation

Too often good ideas wither on the vine and die. Don't let this happen to yours.

If you're not careful, creativity and innovation can be killed off by:

• An initial response of outright condemnation, ridicule, rejection, damning criticism or faint praise.
• The vested interest of a particular person or department.
• Too early an evaluation or judgement. Sometimes suspending judgment early on can see an idea grow and reach a strong stage where it will work.

Managers who are creative and act in innovation-friendly ways have not only the usual leadership skills (defining objectives, planning, controlling, supporting and reviewing in the areas of task, team and individual needs) but also are ...