Wednesday’s coffee break with <CHRISTIAN BUCHHOLZ>

Many organizations want to be innovative.

But too often we see even senior leaders behave in ways that kill new ideas rather than support innovation.
If you want to be an inspiring leader who fosters innovation, here are some tips:

Keep your team up to date
Innovation happens when you have a team that has a pulse on the market and knows about new technologies. Install regular meetings for gathering information about trends and developments. Invite external experts to get deep insights into future markets. Innovation is often a combination of existing ideas and comes from multiple resources (internally and externally).

Support “different thinking” in your team
Not only since the famous “thinking different”-ad campaign of apple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmwXdGm89Tk) we know that innovation needs people who are able to think out of the box. Often these people sound crazy because they argue against the tide. Support their ideas and give them a voice. The most disruptive ideas always sounded weird in the beginning.

Trust your team
The innovation process requires considerable amounts of trust. Why? Because creative ideas are inherently more risky than others – for the company but also for the participating employees. The company must invest resources but the team members risks to fail and receive ridicule and reprimand. Help them to make a breakthrough and show your support especially in the difficult parts of the innovation journey. Trust ist he only way to let disruptive innovation happen.

a
Challenge the status quo
The status quo is yesterday’s business. A stagnant culture is the best way to be overtaken by the competition. We all feel safer in our daily routines and words like “We always did it that way” are widespread in all companies I got to know. Innovative leaders overcome this behavior and inspire others to question the status quo every day. “Can we do things differently? What will happen if we do?” could be a great opening question for your future meetings.

b
Be an inspiring leader!
People will follow your example as a leader. You are a role model for the change that you want to see in your team! Show your passion for new ideas, support exchange and communication and treat ideas well, even when they are not your personal favorite. Only when you use innovation methods by yourself and support creative thinking when moderating a meeting, people will follow you and do the same.

 

Don’t we all want to become better leaders?! Now, let’s get to it keeping in mind Christian’s inspiring advice.

 

thoughts for the week:

Because our speakers and trainers do care, Christian chose to leave you with something to reflect about. Here are some inspiring thoughts that we would like to leave you with for the week. May this inspire you to be a better leader for 2016!

Becoming a better leader is a hot topic for good reason!

Have you ever wondered what is keeping you from that managerial position at work? or simply how to be a better leader in your company or within your community? Well, here is a little bit of advice from our Inspiring speaker and trainer:

10 ways to work on your leadership

1. Talk straight and be honest
2. Listen First before you speak
3. Be respectful to everyone
4. Clarify Expectations
5. Keep Commitments
6. Show accountability
7. Develop a growth mindset
8. Help others to grow
9. Honor mistakes for learning
10. Think different – every day

and remember

Be the Inspiring Leader you always wanted to work for!

A little more about our Inspiring Author:

 

Christian Buchholz is an engaging and passionate speaker about Innovation culture and leadership. On stage, his speeches are always highly interactive and tailored to the audience. Self motivated effective communicator and leader he has proven leadership skills with a track record of successful international projects in 21 countries. Being a entrepreneur and founder of several companies, Christian knows about the challenges of building a successful business. With his company educando human performance, situated in Germany, he brings this knowledge and value to his clients, supported by an international team of trainers and coaches.
Christian Buchholz received a number of international awards for his work and has a wide audience of readers on his blog about innovation and leadership.
To discover more about Christian Buchholz, click on this link to view his profile: PROFILE

By Marjolaine TIPAKA

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