Sometimes in an effort to convince people to come out of their “innovation-shell”, I find myself acting in the form of a “coach” and trying to motivate-to-the-max.  Well I can not report that I am always successful…so when I came across this article by Janet Sernack entitled: “How Can We Prepare People For A Future We Cannot Predict?” …and it had a special section on coaching innovation, I just had to share it.

Coaching innovation leaders & teams

It is more important than ever, to teach people to unlearn, through structured coaching processes, their habitual ways of being, thinking & doing. To create the safe space for people to learn how to embrace creative & collaborative ways of enhancing their bravery, boldness, determination & courage in uncertain times by;

• Imagining new possibilities boldly and optimistically, whilst simultaneously understanding they are quite likely to emerge sooner than expected.

• Pursuing amusement & wonder, whilst simultaneously trusting that smart risk taking allows people to learn fast from mistakes & failure.

• Unlearning knowing and doing what they have always done, whilst simultaneously adopting a beginner’s mind to allow new learnings to occur.

• Being curious about the future & blend new ways of planning, including strategic foresight, scenario planning into conventional business planning.

Remember rushing innovation action can result in a disaster.  So be sure to take quality time and professionally absorb each of Janet’s points.  They are all HIGH VALUE.