b'THE HR HANDBOOKAre You Blinded by the Light?IM GUIDING Amulti-company organizationalTiming is Everythingleadership initiative using a 360-degree feedbackThe timing of involving others in the innovation pro-instrument as a starting point. Typically, 360 feed- cess is crucial. Thoughtful leaders often develop their back identifies weaknesses or blind spots. A signifi- innovations extensively before presenting them, which cant trend weve noticed is the disparity between ancan lead to defensiveness if others dont immediately individuals self-assessment of their innovative lead- recognize the value or feel excluded from the process. ership qualities and the perception of their observ- Conversely, some leaders introduce ideas prematurely, ers. Individuals consistently score themselves higher,causing confusion and lack of resonance. Balancing essentially being blinded by the light. the timing involves sharing ideas early enough to Lets explore why this disparity exists and how toincorporate feedback but not so early that they seem BY JONATHAN SHAVER,bridge the gap to ensure groundbreaking ideas areundeveloped.president and ownerimpactful and embraced by your team.of Envision Partners LLC.The Strategic Importance of InnovationInnovation is a strategic pillar for many organiza-tions, often supported by dedicated departments. Its increasingly measured in leadership qualities. Innovation involves introducing new ideas, products, or solutions that significantly impact and add value.For innovation to be truly impactful, it must However, for innovation to be truly impactful, it must be accepted and adopted by others.be accepted and adopted by others.New ideas alone are insufficient; their value is maxi-mized when others embrace them.Effective innovation requires other leadership quali-ties, such as being conservative. Conservative leaders use past experiences to guide decisions, needing more data than innovative decision-makers who thrive on minimal data. Balancing these approaches involves gathering sufficient data to demonstrate an ideasFinally, its vital to help others identify strengths they impact and value.may overlook. If we possess capabilities valuable to The best discussions focus not on the idea itself butothers, we must highlight them by complementing our on the data needed to make informed decisions, forstrengths with other leadership qualities. Innovation is example, What would need to be true for us to moveimportant to most organizations, but new ideas are just forward with this idea? the beginning. To create value and impact, we must help others see what we see. Consider how you can Contextual Thinking and Innovation modify your approach to help others recognize the High innovation also requires contextual thinking. Newvalue and impact of your ideas.SWideas rarely emerge in isolation; they often connect to current activities or products. Internal innovations may necessitate multiple changes in work processes. Explaining the origin of an idea and considering its ripple effects helps others join the journey.34/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2024'