Recognising Innovation

In this current Economic downturn an innovative leadership style is essential. Mann (2003) draws attention to innovation as the key to long term success and what leaders of best practice organisations do that is different. A manager must ensure they have a vision, mission and strategy that are know and understood, oversee the setting of demanding but realistic targets. They must also set examples in generating an open communicative management style.(Cited in Mullins 2010:777)

Mann is explaining that a manager must essentially lead by example and create an environment which will promote the willingness of employees to be innovative. Although I agree with his ideas about how a manager should act, in my experience it is very different within the workplace. I feel that managers are under pressure to be successful and adopt their own leadership styles and are only willing to follow their own ideas, whether right or wrong.

The managers many organisations don't give the opportunities for employees to be innovative and they must come up with an environment where staff are willing to put forward their ideas to improve the development of the company. According to Lucas (2007) global competition particularly from the BRICK countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and Korea) means that companies can no longer simply compete on price and breaking the mould is more important than ever. Organisations need to be more creative in their approach to recognising, nurturing and turning innovative ideas into business reality and managers are the key to that process.

Ultimately I feel that some organisations are currently missing out on potential by only adopting the managers style and following their rules, I feel promoting innovation within an organistation could lead to great success.

Lucas. E, 2007, Switched on to Innovation, Professional Manager, Volume 16, No. 3, P.32-5

Mullins. L. J, 2010, Mangement & Organisational Behaviour, 9^th Edition, Financial Times Prentice Hall