Innovating with Government stakeholders

Innovation is challenging, but it seems even more difficult when government is a stakeholder.   The reason for this post is to solicit ideas and approaches on how to innovate when dealing with government? 

Your thoughts and insight would be greatly appreciated. 

Leadership and Innovation: How do they relate?

In previous posts we have talked about the call for leadership as a domain.  One where you flow in and out of, based on what is called for at the time.  Leadership is needed when you are trying to "create", said another way, leadership is needed when you are bring something new into existence.  

Innovation too, is about bringing something new into existence.  Something that is invented, something that is being used elsewhere and applying it to a new problem, or used in a different way..

In my view, (IDEA + Expected Results) * 2 the power of the (embracing the) unfamiliar =  INNOVATION.

As a result, I would say, leadership and innovation are co-dependent and synergistic.  What is your view?

Creativity as a channel for experience!

In the world of leadership and Business - where do you rank "Creativity"?

Can creativity be a channel for an enjoyable experience?

Share your views on Creativity.....

I believe that the basis for innovation is our willingness to be creative.  Finding new ways to do old things comes from being creative.   Being willing to look at other industries for how they do what you do.. differently.. is creative.

Share your views and experiences with Creativity in the workplace.

Untested Assumptions

What are untested assumptions, other that the quickest way to derail any leadership initiative you may undertake.

I should start with a definition: Assumptions is "something taken for granted, something that is believed to be true, but with no evidence.

All too often we choose to leave our assumptions (and assumptions of others) to go untested or unchallenged. We don't seek evidence for them, yet we use them to shape our decisions.

This can obviously lead to disaster. (that statement alone is an untested assumption... could it lead to disaster... I don't know.. but shouldn't you check before you believe that it could?)

If you start to look for the underlying assumptions that either you are using or other are, you will find that they are everywhere. Paying close attention to them can help you uncover enormous opportunities and bring clarity to what you do.

Generating Relationship

An interesting way to think about relationships (and one that is not commonplace) is to think about relationships as a generative phenomenon. Left alone, uncared for, your relationship will cease to exist. We have all seen it, we have all experienced it, but have you ever thought of it from the perspective of generating it.

A neat distinction, and if you are really interested in having a relationship.. some very insightful knowing, and therefore action that you must do to sustain or build relationships if your desire is to have them.

We have seen relationships degenerate around us, and we have probably even contributed to their demise (not by doing, but by not doing or not generating) What do you see?

How come politics is only about self-interest

Politics is littered with Self-interest and virtually no leadership. I can only imagine that people that choose a career in politics begin with a desire to service the public, their community or their Country. What happens that diverts them from this noble goal, to one of party rhetoric and self-interest above all else.

I have yet to see a politician that can actually acknowledge that someone from another party actually had a good idea. Or is acting in a way that is in service of their constituents, or is aligned with their ideology. Why would that be so wrong? In Canada, we learn in high-school that political parties, have different ideologies. There are common problems for a Country, and the difference political parties hold different approaches to solving them. Why is this so bad? Why is it that politicians don't have the confidence (in themselves) to stand for their beliefs? To stand as leaders do, in the face of no agreement. Any act of leadership means you are standing in the face of no agreement (otherwise leadership wouldn't be required). So when it comes to politicians, they (all parties) seem more comfortable, telling you why their opponent (isn't doing something, is changing their own position, etc.. etc.. etc...). If they were real leaders they would have a position and share it, support it, and have the courage to talk about it.. and when different view are put forward, they should have the confidence to review, appreciate and understand other viewpoints.. and maybe.. they should have the confidence to include them.. cause maybe the ideas are good, and they just haven't thought about it in that way...

In organization, that is what leaders do.... so why are politicians so difference? and what does it serve.... self-interest, I guess...

Human System Change

What does it take to change behaviour?

Some event (actually or perceived) is what is needed to change habitual behaviors. With a new year upon us, do you have a behaviour that you want to change?

If this behaviour doesn't change ... where will the road you are traveling take you? (call that the status quo).

What is the cost of the status quo? When the (metaphoric) cost of the status quo becomes to expensive, changing behaviour will be a snap. Look back into your own experience when you have changed a habitual behaviour... At what point did you decide that the cost of the status quo was too high??? What was the breakdown that occurred, prior to the behavioural change?? Answering these questions will provide you valuable knowledge if you want to change a habitual behaviour... Conduct an inquiry on yourself.. and the results may be illuminating for you......