Stable Innovation!

10/28/02

Peter Scott-Morgan knows what it takes to limit change fatigue in a world that demands innovation: "Innovative companies should not fixate on change, but focus on maximizing stability, with the innovation built in. To thrive within turbulence, an organization has to maximize 'stable innovation.' This takes different forms: Incremental innovation, best in environments only occasionally disrupted; spasmodic innovation, needed when dealing with one-time change; repetitive innovation, best when facing frequent change; and incessant innovation, for facing fast changes with challenges."

As so often is the case, the truth is in the tension between managing stability and innovation. Too much change and your people and processes are overwhelmed. Too little targeted innovation and organizations are likely to fall victim to competitors that make them obsolete. Empowerment can be described as directed autonomy--give me the boundaries and let me play the game between the lines. Let your people target their innovation where it counts in support of your strategic business goals. Off-target innovation wastes resources and unnecessarily threatens stability. Every breakthrough is a result of innovation, but not every innovation is a breakthrough worth pursuing. Learn to manage innovation to avoid change fatigue. What innovative change is worth pursuing in your organization?

MONDAY'S MIRTHFUL MOMENT

Today's mirthful moment comes from Elaine Guellich. Enjoy some of my favorite children's letters to God:

Dear God,
Please send Dennis Clark to a different camp this year.
Peter

Dear God,
My brother told me about being born but it doesn't sound right. Marsha

Dear God,
In Sunday School they told us what you do. Who does it when you are on vacation? Jane

Dear God,
We read Thomas Edison made light. But in Sunday School they said you did it. So I bet he stoled your idea. Sincerely, Donna

Dear God,
I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday. That was cool. Eugene

When you keep your eyes open for mirth, you just may find it! Hope this kicks off your morning and helps get your mood adjusted for the week. Now, get busy MAKING CHANGE WORK and have some fun along the way!...