Innovation is one of the most commonly used words in businesses and institutions of all kinds, so much so that sometimes it loses its true value.
Similarly, over the past five years, I’ve witnessed an explosion of titles and positions that include the word innovation. Out of curiosity, I conducted a search on my LinkedIn to find out how many people among my first- and second-level connections in Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, and Perú are currently working in innovation roles. Here’s what I found:
- 174 Vice Presidents of Innovation
- 4,444 Directors of Innovation
- 2,200 Innovation Managers
- 4,900 Innovation Leaders
- 334 Heads of Innovation
- 1,004 Innovation Consultants
- 464 Innovation Coordinators
- 716 Heads of Innovation
I was surprised to see the abundance of people dedicated to innovation. On the other hand, examples of innovation, cases, and results are not as evident, and the conversation around methodologies and tools remains a common topic.
Here’s some news: learning one or several methodologies isn´t enough to make you an innovator.
So, What qualities make someone genuinely innovative, focusing on results rather than just great ideas?
It’s definitely a blend of skills and practices—a way of thinking and doing developed by those who refuse to settle for the status quo and can envision “what could be” (the new and innovative).
There are many perspectives on which skills characterize an innovative person. These skills are desirable and necessary for all professionals (whether employees or entrepreneurs) who want to stay relevant in the job market. That’s why today, I want to share a perspective that aligns well with the profile of the innovators I’ve worked with.
10 Skills of the Best Innovation Managers
According to the Board of Innovation (https://www.boardofinnovation.com/), here are 10 skills that should (and can) be developed to help others innovate.
I am confident that all these skills can be developed and turned into personal strengths. Regardless of whether one holds the formal role of an innovation leader, it is imperative that we innovate daily in our professional and personal endeavors. As Carlos Orozco, the former Global Director of Innovation at Dow Chemical, highlighted in our conversation, without innovation, there is no growth.
I encourage you to assess which skills you currently possess, identify those helping you challenge the status quo, and determine which areas require further development.
