Are innovators a rare breed blending genius, passion and vision? Not according to global research from PwC. It found 61% of executives embrace open innovation to generate new ideas, which suggests innovators could be the norm in your workplace. You might be one yourself!
Driving innovation doesn’t always mean inventing the next billion-dollar idea. Sometimes it’s as simple as reimagining an org chart or revamping a common procedure. If it shakes up the status quo for the better, that’s innovation.
This forward-looking activity can benefit your career as much as it helps your employer. You’ll expand your skill set by exposing yourself to new ideas, building your problem-solving chops and gaining a deeper understanding of the organization and its processes. It also doesn’t hurt to build a reputation for yourself as someone with vision and the know-how to make ideas a reality.
So where does a budding innovator begin? Here are four suggestions:
1. Question the status quo
Just because things are done a certain way doesn’t mean they can’t be changed. Consider the end goals of whatever you’re examining and see if another way exists to get there.
Along the way, you’re likely to develop fresh insight into your organization and how it operates. As you’re imagining what could be, be honest in your assessment of what is. Just because you’re ready to effect change doesn’t mean the processes in place need changing.
You might already be using the optimal solution, so keep an open mind about keeping an open mind.
2. Share ideas with work friends
Whether through a formal collaboration, an impromptu brainstorming session or a casual chat in the break room about removing obstacles from your workflow, bouncing ideas off confidants and co-workers is a great way to get that spirit of invention started.
Bringing others into your idea-generating process not only helps you recruit like-minded colleagues to your cause, but offers valuable perspective you can use to refine your thoughts.
3. Give innovation some space
Every change needs a catalyst. Sometimes a simple shift in scenery can be enough. Take advantage of brainstorming-friendly spaces like cafes, outdoor green spaces or gathering areas in the office.
Some workplaces provide spaces dedicated to collaboration. They encourage shared thinking by being equipped with comfy seating, whiteboards and the technology necessary to start hashing out ideas.
When members of Paycom’s workforce need to get the wheels turning, they have access to spaces for formal brainstorming sessions or simple get-togethers to throw ideas around. Innovation is such an essential part of what we do, we literally built it into the floor plan!
4. Don’t be afraid of failure
Be willing to recognize not every effort will be a resounding success. Some won’t even survive past the drawing board.
Many reasons abound for initiatives not gaining traction, and few are related to the quality of the idea. Maybe the timing isn’t right or leadership has different priorities. Perhaps unrelated external events render your efforts not worthy of pursuit at the time. It happens.
When you accept this fact, it’s easier to recover from these inevitable setbacks. You’re also likely to become less hesitant to continue exploring ideas and formulating strategies for the future.
One of the best ways to leverage your vision and desire to innovate is by joining an organization where innovation is a key part of the workflow. As a leader in the HR tech industry, Paycom has embraced innovation at every level.
We were recently recognized as a winner in the 2023 BIG Innovation Awards by Business Intelligence Group for our unique marketing efforts. Plus, Paycom was the only HR and payroll provider named to Fast Company’s 2022 list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies.
Would you like to find an organization that shares your passion for innovation? Apply to Paycom today!
