In my opinion, the importance of being creative and innovative depends on the business area an organisation is operating in. However, every firm needs to come up with new ideas from time to time in order to remain up-to-date or even better a trend-setter. Therefore encouraging employees to think out of the box is an important aspect of effective strategic leadership.2.
What can we learn from IDEO about effective strategic leadership?
- Chaos can be constructive
- Going out and getting insights about customer needs, rather than staying in front of the computer on your desk, is far more effective
- Making decisions on ones own contains a big danger of failure. Therefore, decide in a team (by e.g. voting)
- Being a good listener
- Freedom instead of criticism (freedom according to dress code, working place, etc.)
- Motivating, establishing positive pressure
- Operating in small groups makes communication and reporting easier
- Operating in diverse teams increases creativity and filly the quality of the products/ services
- No (or fluid and flexible) hierarchy
3.Can you see any differences or similarities with other case studies we have considered e.g. Gerry Robinson and NHS or Challenger or Carrefour or Madonna?
= Similarities
- Gerry Robinson/ NHS: IDEO's "Have a go" approach is similar to Robinson's "Can do" approach; people are encouraged to participate by developing own ideas (and these ideas are/ shall be considered by the management)
- Madonna: IDEO's focus on functionality is based on the attempt to always siut the customers' mood.
≠ Disparities
- Challenger case: Unlike the NASA, IDEO operates on a flat hierarchy and fosters informal instead of formal communication. Managers at IDEO are equipped with excellent listening skills. What also differ IDEO from the NASA is their focus on ethics and safety whereas the NASA operated on a more money-driven basis and had to deal with huge external pressure.
Good blog entry and good assignment. Well done. Lisa
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