In today’s fast-paced business landscape, innovation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a critical competency that organizations must cultivate to thrive. But what exactly is innovation, and how can we foster it effectively?

What Is Innovation?

At its core, innovation is more than just creativity; it’s about turning novel ideas into practical solutions that create value. Whether it’s a groundbreaking technology or a simple enhancement to customer service, innovation drives progress and keeps businesses competitive.

Let’s address some common misconceptions about innovation:

• I’m not a creative person: Creativity is just one aspect of innovation. You don’t need to be an artistic genius, practical problem-solving matters more.

• Only original ideas are innovative: Innovation isn’t limited to groundbreaking inventions. Incremental improvements count too.

• Every problem has only one solution: Innovation thrives on exploring multiple paths and finding the best fit.

• The current practice is always the best: Complacency stifles progress. Embrace change and challenge the status quo.

• Technological understanding is a must: While tech helps, innovation is about mindset and adaptability.

Over the past decade, I’ve encountered numerous situations where innovation was crucial, and I’ve witnessed both triumphs and setbacks. Reflecting on these experiences, I’ve extracted key qualities that contribute to success—or conversely, lead to failure. I present these essential skills in the form of the “COLAR” framework:

• C– Curiosity
• O-Observant
• L– Listener
• A– Action taker
• R-Risk taker

Let’s delve into the details to further understand each component of the COLAR framework, which one can apply at an individual level to work on innovation capability:

Curious:

• Ask Why: Curiosity fuels innovation. Always question the status quo. Why does something work the way it does? What if we did it differently? Continuously seeking answers encourages a deeper understanding and opens up new perspectives for tackling problems.
• Open Mindset: Approach problems with an open mind. Be willing to explore unconventional solutions.
• Stay Updated: Continuously read and learn about your industry trends and changes compared to other. Innovations often emerge from staying informed about industry trends and breakthroughs.
• Networking and Collaboration: Engage with others—exchange ideas and collaborate. Diverse perspectives lead to innovative thinking.

Observant:

• Everyday Experiences: Pay attention to everyday situations. Innovations often arise from solving common problems.
• Connect Outside: Look beyond your immediate field. Inspiration can come from unexpected sources.
• Team Insights: Your team members hold valuable insights. Collaborate and tap into their collective wisdom.
• Zooming in & Out:  Balance detailed focus (zooming in) with a broader perspective (zooming out)

Listener:

• Mindful Conversations: Be an active listener. Understand not just the words spoken, but also the underlying context and emotions.
• Team Effort: Great ideas often emerge during team discussions. Encourage open dialogue and respect diverse viewpoints.
• Seek New Perspectives: Engage with people from different backgrounds. Their fresh viewpoints can spark innovation.

Action Oriented:

• Timely Action: Don’t delay. Implement ideas promptly to see results.
• Prototype and Test: Create prototypes/conduct pilots to validate concepts.
• Iterate: Learn from feedback and iterate. Innovation is an ongoing process.
• Manage change: Be prepared for change. Adaptability is crucial in any innovative endeavor.

Risk Taker:

• Calculated Risks: Assess risks and take calculated chances. Innovation involves stepping out of your comfort zone.
• Learn from Mistakes: View failures as learning opportunities. Adjust and improve based on what didn’t work.
• Seek Feedback: Invite constructive feedback.
• Embrace Failure: Be willing to fail. It’s a steppingstone to growth and innovation.
• Pivot: Explore the opportunities to pivot in case the outcome is different than what you expected.  Spencer Silver, a scientist at 3M, accidentally created a weak adhesive. It was initially considered a failure until his colleague, Art Fry, realized its potential as a reusable bookmark. This led to the invention of Post-it Notes.

Innovation isn’t a talent reserved for a select few; it’s a skill that can be cultivated. Enter the COLAR model—a pragmatic approach that dispels common myths about innovation and equips you with a powerful template for tackling challenges.

As a leader, the COLAR model not only supports you with respect to business challenges, but also as a compass for people development. Let’s infuse this framework into your innovative endeavors. Share your thoughts, and together, we’ll refine COLAR for even greater impact! 

I would also like to request that you reflect on a specific challenge you have encountered, where innovation was required. Now, in hindsight, if you consider the COLAR framework, how closely do you relate to it? I look forward to hearing about your experiences.