Mindset | Innovation Culture Head Space

toolkit

Innovation Process Stage

Here you'll learn what it's all about and why this element is particularly important in terms of innovation culture. In addition, the toolkit includes other external as well as LIH resources that will give you a deeper understanding of the element and provide opportunities for application.

Mindset is one of those English terms that can be interpreted in many ways. In general, it has the following meaning: Way of thinking, attitude, philosophy of life, mentality, orientation, world view (or to turn to the German language for support; "Gesinnung")

Our attitude towards certain subjects (how we think, feel and act) is interrelated and shaped by experiences we have had. These naturally include positive ones that encourage and strengthen us in certain areas, but equally so negative ones that can lead to us not trusting ourselves to do certain things. As it is easier for our brains to evaluate new experiences according to the established patterns, attitudes and mindsets easily become set in stone and changing them is tough work.

But it can be really important to observe our thoughts from time to time and do the effort of changing. As Henry Ford famously put it: “Whether you think you can or you can't; you'll be right either way.”

Why is this important for innovation

In the innovation context we want to encourage our people to share mindsets that open opportunities for forward thinking, creativity, experimentation, making mistakes and trying again and collaboration. As innovation leaders, we strive to empower our teams who are often overwhelmed with the day-to-day business, to overcome barriers, to generate novel approaches and innovative solutions. Our mindsets are simply our mental lenses that dictate what information we take in and how we see and interpret problems.

For this reason, two people may view a situation and process and respond to it very differently: One might see it as a threat, the other as an opportunity to develop. In his book, Hit Refresh, Satya Nadella explains that mindsets – particularly growth mindsets – were his primary focus when revamping Microsoft. With this leadership, the company’s market capitalization and stock price more than tripled.

This being said, there is no such thing as ‘the one right mindset’. It is much more important to recognise one's own beliefs and their added value, and to always start working on those counter- productive beliefs that do not take us further in the direction we want to go.

In this space you will find mindsets and thought impulses that have a positive impact from an innovation or cultural leadership point of view.

These include but of course are not limited to:

Growth Mindset: A belief that intelligence and skills can be developed through dedication and effort
Intellectual honesty: An unbiased, honest attitude towards problem solving
Longevity Mindset: Focuses on the long term success and well being of the company and its employees

Innovation leaders play a crucial role in creating a supportive environment where desirable mindsets can flourish: They become a living role model of the predominant mindsets that form a team’s innovation culture. By providing the necessary resources, removing obstacles, and offering support, leaders can thus create an environment that nurtures and reinforces an innovation. Here you can discover the other 5 elements that make up the Cultural Innovation Leadership Framework.