NASA’s Inclusion and Innovations Council has released a follow-up to Barriers to Innovation and Inclusion (link goes to my post containing the embedded video) which shows ways to encourage innovation and inclusion:

Again, I think that the lessons from this group are applicable to any organization in need of innovation.  As you watch the video, think about how you respond to others, and what you can change to encourage ideas from people.

One of the examples is of what they call “servant leadership”, the idea that supervisors should put their efforts into making it easier for those within their areas to innovate.  I see what I have called a “flat” hierarchy, which is the idea that we all should do what we can to make an idea fly, regardless of what our job description says.

found via Wayne Hale’s blog – read his entry for a prime example of the cost of discouraging someone on the brink of innovation.

Non-Hierarchical Management is an article by Aaron Swartz on the Palinet Leadership Network, and it is well worth reading.

If you are a manager, read it with an eye towards improving how you work with your team.

If you are part of a team, read it with an eye towards improving how you work with your manager, as well as the rest of your team.  Who knows, you may be in a position to manage someday… read it with this in mind.

Whatever your position, you can improve the quality, quantity, and enjoyment of your work by implementing some of these suggestions.  Even if you are the only one applying these lessons, your attitude and approach will be the better for it.

found via Walt at Random