Leadership for Innovation

About the Author

David Masumba is a leading authority in workforce innovation, with over a decade of experience in fostering employee-driven innovation within organizations. He is based in Walnut Creek, California, where he founded the Innovation Strategy Lab, a consulting firm dedicated to helping companies cultivate a culture of innovation. Masumba's expertise extends beyond consulting; he is also an inventor, working on projects such as the CT Holder, a practical kitchen device. His book, "Leadership for Innovation: Three Essential Skill Sets for Leading Employee-Driven Innovation", is a culmination of his extensive research and practical experience, offering a roadmap for leaders aiming to embed innovation into their organizational culture.

Main Idea

In "Leadership for Innovation," David Masumba presents the argument that innovation should be an organization-wide effort, involving every employee rather than being confined to specific units. He identifies three critical skill sets that leaders must develop to foster a culture of innovation: Innovative Thinking Skills, Innovation Engagement Skills, and Innovation Management Skills. These skills are essential for leaders to inspire, manage, and sustain innovation, creating an environment where every employee can contribute to the organization's innovative endeavors. The book provides a blend of theoretical insights and practical strategies, supported by real-world examples, to guide leaders in embedding innovation into their organizational culture.

Table of Contents

1. Understanding Innovative Thinking Skills
2. Innovative Engagement Skills
3. Building a Culture of Innovation
4. Innovative Management Skills
5. Innovation Performance and Goal Setting

Understanding Innovative Thinking Skills

Innovative thinking is the foundation of any successful innovation strategy. Masumba begins by explaining that innovative thinking involves not just generating new ideas but also seeing opportunities in challenges. He shares the story of Anne Robertson, a senior executive at IBM, who used a personal healthcare crisis as a catalyst for innovation. After her mother suffered from a medical error, Robertson led the development of advanced IT systems to manage patient data more effectively, demonstrating the transformative power of innovative thinking in addressing real-world problems.

“Innovative thinking is about turning challenges into opportunities by envisioning creative solutions.” - David Masumba

Masumba delves into the characteristics of innovative thinkers, emphasizing that these traits can be nurtured and developed. He argues that innovative thinking is not solely an innate talent but a skill that can be cultivated through deliberate practice and a willingness to challenge existing norms. Leaders can foster this skill by encouraging their teams to draw connections between seemingly unrelated fields. For example, the development of the iPhone combined technologies from telecommunications, computing, and design, resulting in a revolutionary product that changed the world.

Furthermore, Masumba highlights the importance of curiosity and a growth mindset. He cites examples such as the creation of the microwave oven, which was discovered accidentally when a researcher noticed that radar waves had melted a chocolate bar in his pocket. This story illustrates that innovation often arises from unexpected observations and that a culture of experimentation and learning from failure is crucial for fostering innovative thinking.