It is essential to be adaptable in business since the industry is ever-changing. Failure to innovate or adjust to changes will render a business obsolete. Therefore, it is important to create an organizational culture that encourages innovative behavior and creative thinking. Organizational culture encompasses beliefs and values held by the members of the organization, which ultimately affect how they behave. As a leader, I will strive for an innovative culture by promoting unconventional thinking, open communication, calculated risk-taking, and critical analysis.
Innovative behavior encompasses unconventional thinking because people with this skill are able to see what others cannot. Additionally, this type of foresight is an important stimulant of innovation. A far-sighted individual can analyze the warning signs of a revolution in the industry and take immediate action. For instance, Netflix adapted quickly to technology and created an online movie streaming platform when the internet was becoming popular. Due to this quick thinking and foresight, the company stayed ahead of the market and beat competitors such as Blockbuster. I will foster creative thinking as an element of organizational culture by encouraging resourceful thinking.
Aside from cultivating unconventional thinking, I will promote open communication in the organization that I lead. Innovative behavior is possible only where people feel free to share their ideas. Every member should feel that their voice matters and their ideas are valued (Boss, 2017). It is essential for people to be acknowledged when they contribute feasible suggestions. I will outspokenly recognize employee contribution, especially during a brainstorming session. For instance, it would be unethical to implement a junior employee’s idea without acknowledging it as theirs or rewarding them. Additionally, open communication is fostered by implementing suggestions that are in line with an organization’s objectives. Integrating recommended suggestions into the organization’s policies and procedures shows that the organization is keen on innovation. It also improves communication because employees are more likely to voice their opinions when they see that they are taken seriously. I plan to spearhead a finance company that runs on efficient communication.
Innovative behavior thrives in an organization that encourages calculated risk-taking. Innovation always entails some level of risk since it involves venturing into a new idea. People who are afraid of risks cannot actualize ideas, even if they are creative. Therefore, I will encourage my juniors to take a risk where necessary. However, this does not mean that they should pursue all ideas hastily without due diligence. It is reckless and dangerous to implement ideas without conducting a feasibility study because a creative idea could be good in theory but impractical. For instance, a business that sells sportswear might consider expanding to sports equipment. While this might be a good idea, it could be difficult to actualize since it requires a lot of capital. Calculated risk-taking is closely related to critical analysis because the former is facilitated by the latter. It is easy to make a wrong decision due to perceptual errors in thinking and social errors and biases (Boss, 2017). During decision-making, people tend to rely on heuristics, which can result in suboptimal results. To maximize the potential benefits of a creative idea, critical analysis must be an element of an organization’s culture.
I will create an organizational culture that fosters creative thinking and innovative behavior by adopting transformational leadership (TFL). I believe this is the most efficient form of leadership because it motivates juniors to do more than is expected of them. It is founded on trust and respect, which is the cornerstone of good communication needed for innovation. I plan to work in the business and finance industry. This is a highly competitive industry that requires continuous innovation. Consequently, the skills I have learned in this unit will be vital to my professional life. Finally, by exemplifying these qualities myself, I hope to inspire others to be creative thinkers.
Reference
Boss, J. A. (2017). Think Critical thinking and logic skills for everyday life (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.