As a leader, you’ve likely heard it before: “Think outside the box.” But what does that actually look like in action? In my years of working with organizations like Disney, Marvel and Lucasfilm, I’ve learned that fostering innovation isn’t just about grand ideas — it’s about creating environments and behaviors that allow those ideas to flourish.
Innovation thrives not on grand ideas alone but on cultivating environments and behaviors that empower teams to think creatively, sustain progress and learn through iteration.
Here are three essential behaviors to guide your teams toward creativity and results:
1. Indicate: Create clear signals for creative thinking
One of the biggest hurdles to creativity is confusion. Are we brainstorming wild ideas, or are we evaluating and refining them? Without clarity, meetings can derail into unproductive debates or half-baked solutions.
That’s where “Indicate” comes in. This behavior involves using clear verbal, visual or even kinesthetic cues to signal whether the team should be in expansive thinking mode (where wild ideas reign) or reductive thinking mode (where those ideas are refined and made practical). For instance:
At one company, employees use red and yellow cards in brainstorming meetings. If someone starts a sentence with “No, because…” they’re given a red card as a playful reminder to stay positive and open. Pixar designates specific “plussing” meetings, where the sole purpose is to build on ideas, not critique them.
To signal this behavior, dedicate physical spaces to creative thinking. At Disney, for example, we created rooms specifically for nurturing ideas. The walls were covered in colorful, whimsical designs to signal, “This is a space where no idea gets shot down.”
Think of it as the opposite of a “Shark Tank” pitch room — more sandbox, less stress. Leaders need to model “Indicate.” If you’re asking for expansive ideas, stay in the room. Your presence signals commitment, and actions speak louder than words.
2. Momentum: Keep the ball rolling
Too often, great ideas fizzle out not because they lack merit but because they lose steam. Leaders frequently charge into the room, bursting with enthusiasm for a new initiative, only to move on to the next shiny object a month later. Momentum dies, and so does the project. “Momentum,” as a behavior, is about sustaining energy and focus through the life of a project. Here’s how:
Set non-negotiable deadlines: In the first meeting, lock in future dates and ensure everyone is available. I often see “project creep” happen when scheduling conflicts arise. A simple solution is to set meeting dates in stone at the project’s kickoff.
Celebrate small wins: Recognize achievements along the way to keep morale high. Even small milestones can give the team a sense of accomplishment and fuel their drive to push forward. So, pop the metaphorical (or literal) champagne!
Avoid spreading your team too thin: Focus on one major project at a time to ensure resources and energy remain concentrated. Remember, being second to market isn’t an option in today’s fast-paced world.
Take Steve Jobs, for example. When he returned to Apple, he narrowed the product line, creating focus and clarity for the team. This alignment allowed them to develop game-changing innovations like the iPod and the MacBook.
3. Experiment: Dare to launch and learn
Perfection is the enemy of progress. One of the most transformative lessons in innovation is that success often comes not from getting it perfect the first time but from refining it as you go. I call this the “Experiment” behavior. Consider this: Google’s search engine succeeded over competitors like Microsoft’s Bing primarily because Google embraced iteration. The company launched “good enough for now” products, gathered feedback and improved over time.
This principle also applies to teams and presentations. When you ask for feedback early and often, you invite the chance to improve and grow. These steps will help you embrace “Experimentation”:
Prototype and launch quickly: Don’t let fear of imperfection hold you back. Get your idea to market and refine it based on real-world feedback.
Gather insights: Encourage your team to view feedback — both positive and critical — as a gift. Every tweak makes the final product stronger.
Iterate and improve: Like the iPhone, each iteration can bring you closer to brilliance. Remember, the first version doesn’t have to be the last.
Creating a culture where failure isn’t feared but embraced as part of the process is critical to successful “Experimentation.” As Morihei Ueshiba once said, “Failure is the key to success; each mistake teaches us something.”
Innovation isn’t just about having great ideas; it’s about creating the conditions that allow those ideas to thrive. By signaling when to dream big, sustaining momentum through the process and embracing a culture of experimentation, you’ll empower your teams to achieve remarkable results. This doesn’t have to be rocket science (unless you work at NASA). Start small, stay curious and remember — your team’s next big idea could be just one behavior away.
Opinions expressed by SmartBrief contributors are their own.
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