During the recession and economic meltdown of 2008 and 2009, innovation became a catch phrase within many organizations.  Doing thing differently, being creative, thinking outside the box were all heard from board rooms to mail rooms in corporate America.

To be truly successful as a leader, innovation cannot be an event that is triggered by an event.  Innovation must be a regular skill and competency utilized in good times and in bad.  Innovation is a tool that should be used daily and not just when a committee is convened to study innovation.

Leadership and Change

Before innovation can be discussed and utilized, change must be thoroughly understood and embraced by the effective leader.  Change and innovation are connected at the hip.  Always has been and always will be.  Innovation creates change.  Changes outside of our control will hopefully spark some innovation.