Teams that innovate function differently than teams that maintain the status quo. Teams that innovate do things better, faster or cheaper. They constantly keep refining what they do and continue improving. Teams that do not innovate, repeatedly keep doing the same things and keeps getting the same results.
The team that innovates meets the needs of the End User/customer and adapts innovation to solve a real need or problem. Whereas, a team that does not innovate keeps repeatedly doing the same thing without reflection. This does not leave room to improve or innovate. Innovative Teams Function as an Intellectual community.
Characteristics of Intellectually Functioning Teams that Innovates:
1. The team learns from each other.
2. The team members have a “minds on approach.” In other words, they question what is working and what is not and asks “why?”
3. The team members bounce ideas and build on each other’s ideas!
4. They communicate with each other.
Characteristics of a Non-Intellectual Functioning Community – A team that just keeps things running
1. The team does not learn from each other but goes through the motions of getting the job done.
2. They do not reflect on what they are doing. Instead, they follow a set of procedures without reflection.
3. Team members do not learn from each other or what they are doing.
4. Minimum communication
Click on the following link to learn about 10 things a Leader Needs to Know to Lead a Team to Successfully innovate
Source:
Lamberg, T. (2018). Leaders who Lead Successful: Guidelines for Organizing to Achieve Innovation, Roman & Littlefield.
Lamberg, T. (2018) Conducting Productive Meetings: How to Generate and Communicate ideas for Innovation Roman & Littlefield.