The Hard Truth About Innovation Cultures

From The Hard Truth About Innovative Cultures

The most common characteristics of innovative cultures are believed to be:

1. Tolerance to failure
2. Willingness to experiment
3. Psychological safety
4. Highly collaborative and non hierarchical

But these cultures are not all fun and games.

The easy-to-like behaviors that get so much attention are only one side of the coin. They must be counterbalanced by some tougher and frankly less fun behaviors. Innovative cultures are paradoxical and need to be carefully managed. These are the important paradoxes that need to be managed:

1. Tolerance for Failure but No Tolerance for Incompetence

2. Willingness to Experiment but Highly Disciplined

3. Psychologically Safe but Brutally Candid

4. Collaboration but with Individual Accountability

5. Flat but Strong Leadership

If you want your organization to strike the delicate balance required, then you as a leader must demonstrate the ability to strike that balance yourself.