Teamwork, organizational climate and innovation
It makes sense that organizations that have cultures that encourage teamwork will be more innovative than organizations that have a culture (or climate) that focuses on competition. Innovation comes from creativity, and creativity has certain requirements in order for it to flourish. Those requirements cannot be met in an organization that focuses on rewarding people based on competition.
Freedom to fail
“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” Thomas Edison
Employees must be allowed to fail in order for creativity, and its resulting innovations, to flourish. In a competitive atmosphere, failure is a weakness that others can exploit. Even if the boss praises the failure, the other employees, i.e. the competition, will be certain to use the failure to gain an advantage. The problem is that a fear of failure will stop people from taking even those chances that are likely to be successful but still carry a possibility of failing. Failure is a great learning tool – it allowed Thomas Edison to invent the light bulb.
Who gets credit?
“It's amazing what you can accomplish when you don't care who gets the credit.” plaque on Ronald Reagan’s desk.
In a climate or culture of competition, who gets credit is the most important part of the job. An employee cannot be number one in anything unless his or her effort is recognized as the best. However, for creativity to flourish, people need to be able to share ideas without worrying about them being stolen, or someone else getting credit for them and the consequences of that. A shared idea can grow into something much more amazing than one that remains in the head of the employee. The pressure to perform and the competitive drive will create employees who hoard their ideas and keep them away from other employees and even their supervisors.
Ideas need help
“None of us is as smart as all of us.” Ken Blanchard
It is unlikely that one person in a large organization will be able to create any sort of change without help from others. Even if a person in a competitive environment decides to get an edge through innovation, the company will not receive all the benefits possible from the innovation. Because the employee will desire to be first, making the playing field even is not in his or her best interest.
Climate or Culture
When the culture of an organization encourages teamwork, the organization has a good grounding for creativity and innovation. When the climate aligns with the culture, the organization is ready to soar. It is up to leaders and managers to create a climate that makes creativity and innovation possible.
Freedom to fail
“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” Thomas Edison
Employees must be allowed to fail in order for creativity, and its resulting innovations, to flourish. In a competitive atmosphere, failure is a weakness that others can exploit. Even if the boss praises the failure, the other employees, i.e. the competition, will be certain to use the failure to gain an advantage. The problem is that a fear of failure will stop people from taking even those chances that are likely to be successful but still carry a possibility of failing. Failure is a great learning tool – it allowed Thomas Edison to invent the light bulb.
Who gets credit?
“It's amazing what you can accomplish when you don't care who gets the credit.” plaque on Ronald Reagan’s desk.
In a climate or culture of competition, who gets credit is the most important part of the job. An employee cannot be number one in anything unless his or her effort is recognized as the best. However, for creativity to flourish, people need to be able to share ideas without worrying about them being stolen, or someone else getting credit for them and the consequences of that. A shared idea can grow into something much more amazing than one that remains in the head of the employee. The pressure to perform and the competitive drive will create employees who hoard their ideas and keep them away from other employees and even their supervisors.
Ideas need help
“None of us is as smart as all of us.” Ken Blanchard
It is unlikely that one person in a large organization will be able to create any sort of change without help from others. Even if a person in a competitive environment decides to get an edge through innovation, the company will not receive all the benefits possible from the innovation. Because the employee will desire to be first, making the playing field even is not in his or her best interest.
Climate or Culture
When the culture of an organization encourages teamwork, the organization has a good grounding for creativity and innovation. When the climate aligns with the culture, the organization is ready to soar. It is up to leaders and managers to create a climate that makes creativity and innovation possible.