Hiring and developing strong managers and leaders is essential for driving your business forward, both in smooth sailing and rough patches. Achieving this means stepping outside of traditional management techniques and focusing on the skills that matter most today—skills that spark creativity and encourage employees to think outside the box. Innovation, after all, is what helps companies stay competitive, push boundaries, and come up with the next big idea.
But let’s be honest—getting your team to think creatively isn’t always a breeze. It’s easy to get stuck in the same old ways of doing things, especially when deadlines are tight, and day-to-day operations take center stage. However, with the right approach, you can foster an environment where new ideas flourish and employees feel confident sharing them.
In this article, we’ll explore 12 practical strategies to help your company become more innovative, featuring real-world examples from businesses that have already nailed it.
1. Build a Culture That Values New Ideas
If you want your team to come up with fresh ideas, they need to feel safe sharing them—even the ideas that aren’t fully fleshed out. A culture where creativity is encouraged and failure isn’t feared is essential. Let your team know it’s okay to try something new and that not every experiment has to be a success.
Google has done this remarkably well with their famous “20% time” policy, where employees are encouraged to spend part of their workweek on side projects that interest them. This culture of experimentation has led to massive successes, including products like Gmail and Google Maps. The key takeaway here? Give your employees room to explore ideas without worrying about the consequences of failure.
2. Give Leaders the Freedom to Lead
Your company’s leaders play a huge role in setting the tone for innovation. But let’s face it, they can’t inspire change if they’re buried under red tape. Leaders need the freedom to take risks, experiment with new strategies, and push their teams to think differently. At the same time, they need access to the resources necessary for innovation—whether that’s extra budget, time, or talent.
Take Amazon as an example. Jeff Bezos is well-known for encouraging a “fail fast” mindset. His willingness to take big risks—like launching Amazon Prime—has paid off enormously. The lesson? Encourage your leaders to break out of the mold and give them the tools to make bold decisions.
3. Encourage Teamwork and Collaboration
Innovation is rarely the work of just one person. More often, it’s the result of many minds working together. When employees from different departments or backgrounds collaborate, they bring new perspectives that can lead to creative solutions.
Pixar is a prime example of how collaboration fuels creativity. The company’s open office design encourages employees from different teams to work together on projects, fostering a sense of shared ownership and leading to some of the most iconic films in animation history. For your business, this might mean setting up regular cross-team meetings or brainstorming sessions
4. Provide the Right Tools and Support
If you expect innovation, you’ve got to invest in the resources that make it possible. This doesn’t mean just throwing money at a problem, but rather giving your team the tools they need to do their best work—whether that’s the latest technology, access to research, or simply time to focus on new ideas.
Apple is a company that consistently invests heavily in research and development, which has led to groundbreaking products like the iPhone and iPad. The lesson here is simple: Don’t skimp on the resources your employees need to think creatively and bring those ideas to life.
5. Embrace Different Perspectives
The best ideas often come from a mix of different viewpoints. If everyone on your team thinks the same way, you’ll likely end up with the same old solutions. By embracing diversity in terms of background, experience, and skills, you’ll open the door to more innovative ideas.
Procter & Gamble is known for its commitment to diversity, and it’s paid off with products like Tide Pods and Crest Whitestrips, which were developed by diverse teams working together. Encourage hiring across different demographics, skill sets, and experiences, and make sure all voices are heard within your company.
6. Make Learning a Priority
Innovation isn’t just about coming up with new ideas—it’s also about continuously learning and improving. Create an environment where employees are encouraged to learn new skills, whether through workshops, online courses, or mentorship programs.
Microsoft, for example, has developed a robust learning culture, offering its employees access to a wide range of training and certification programs. This focus on growth ensures that team members are always developing new ideas and keeping up with industry trends.
7. Don’t Be Afraid to Take Risks
Playing it safe is comfortable, but it doesn’t lead to groundbreaking innovation. Encourage your team to take calculated risks and try out new ideas, even if there’s a chance they might not succeed. The key is to learn from failures and use them as stepping stones toward success.
Google’s willingness to allow its engineers to spend time on personal projects has resulted in some of its most significant successes, even though not all projects hit the mark. Remember, if you’re not occasionally failing, you’re probably not pushing the boundaries far enough.
8. Reward Creative Thinking
Let’s be honest—people like being recognized for their efforts. If you want to encourage innovation, make sure you’re rewarding those who think outside the box. Whether it’s through bonuses, promotions, or simple public recognition, showing that you value creativity will inspire others to follow suit.
Apple is great at this. The company has a program called Apple Fellows, which recognizes employees who’ve made extraordinary contributions to the company’s innovations. Make sure you’re recognizing and celebrating the creative efforts within your organization, even if those ideas are still in the early stages.
9. Keep Communication Lines Open
If your team members aren’t communicating, you’re missing out on valuable ideas. Encourage open communication across all levels of your organization, and make sure there are systems in place to facilitate idea sharing—whether that’s through regular meetings, online platforms like Slack, or informal catch-ups.
At Pixar, the open office layout encourages constant communication and collaboration. Employees regularly bounce ideas off each other, which has led to the creation of some of the most successful animated films in history. In your business, think about ways you can remove barriers to communication and create spaces where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts.
10. Be Ready to Adapt
In business, things change quickly. What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow, and the best companies are those that can adapt. This means being willing to shift strategies, pivot when needed, and always stay open to new ideas.
Amazon is a great example of a company that has adapted over time. What started as an online bookstore has evolved into a massive e-commerce platform, with ventures into cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and more. Encourage your team to stay flexible and be willing to change course when necessary.
11. Create Opportunities for Side Projects
Sometimes, the best ideas come when people are given a little creative freedom. Providing employees with the opportunity to work on side projects or explore personal interests can lead to unexpected breakthroughs.
Again, Google’s “20% time” policy is a fantastic example of this. While it might not work for every company to give employees that much free time, you can still carve out space for people to explore side projects or new ideas that aren’t directly related to their daily tasks.
12. Learn from Others’ Successes and Failures
There’s no need to reinvent the wheel. One of the best ways to foster innovation in your own company is to learn from others. Take a look at how other businesses are encouraging creativity and see what you can adopt for your own organization. Equally, don’t be afraid to study failures—there are often valuable lessons in what went wrong.
Many successful companies, from Apple to Amazon to Pixar, have implemented practices that encourage creativity and innovation. By studying what has worked for them, you can find inspiration and practical solutions to apply in your own business.
Conclusion
Fostering innovation doesn’t require a massive overhaul of your company. By making small, intentional changes—whether it’s encouraging collaboration, investing in resources, or simply recognizing creative efforts—you can create an environment where new ideas thrive.
Take inspiration from companies that have successfully encouraged innovation, but don’t be afraid to put your own spin on things. Every company is different, and what works for one might not work for another. The key is to stay open-minded, adaptable, and always ready to push the boundaries.
So, if you want your company to be a hub of creativity, start implementing these 12 strategies today. You’ll be surprised at how quickly new ideas begin to flow when employees are encouraged, supported, and given the space to innovate.