Innovation Dynamics

In the stresses and strains of the so-called new economy, the imperative need for innovation has suddenly reared its head. Doing things successfully as we did in the past in many cases are simply not possible anymore. We need to find innovative and successful ways to cope, both on a personal as well as organisational level.

Amongst many suggestions to stimulate innovation, the art of counselling is a major competitive advantage that all of us leaders can use overnight.

A counselling approach, that is often a question led approach, is generally a far more effective innovation trigger than the standard ‘telling’ approach:

• A counselling approach tends to immediately lift the conversation to one of participation, respect and innovation. It opens the door to unlimited ideas and partnering potential. Leader, never underestimate the innovation potential that lies dormant in the people around you!
• The counselling approach has the potential of “taste, feel and believe of the inner true self” that the telling approach rarely achieves. Innovation is one of the many benefits of a counselling approach and is often the fruits of liberated intuition rather than pure logic.
• The ability to impact on self-image behavioural change is far more possible with a partnering counselling approach. Counselling participants tend to become a great deal more passionate and performing contributors.
• The spirits of charity, counselling, confidence, innovation and persuasion are irrevocably connected.
• Do not underestimate the degree to which we are personally already adopting a counselling approach as a result of our training and aspirations to serve others. It is about embracing a fullness of the irreplaceable ability of communicating with that part of all of us that enables positive behavioural change and innovation to occur. 

Leadership evaluation questions:

Consider our own life style and ask to what extent a telling culture dominates us as opposed to an emotionally mature counselling culture?

What are some challenges we need to face in adopting a more counselling approach than a telling approach?

Old Man statement:

Few experiences evoke more personal happiness and motivation than the privilege of belonging in an authentic well-managed counselling culture. It tends to bring out the best in all of us, including amazing innovation ideas.

It goes without saying that such a leadership style requires emotionally mature and confident leaders.

For your consideration:

Counselling killers

As is the case in most transformational efforts, the counselling culture also has many motivational killers:

• It is so easy to revert to the traditional telling culture as a result of time and authority pressures. A counselling discipline tends to ultimately save a great deal of time and money!
• Flattery is often applied as an alternative to genuine respect for the opinion of others. Flattery often rebounds into distrust..
• The mantle of the leader of the counselling session needs to be respected. Often ideas may be presented that clash with other ideas and the leader needs to exert his or her overruling authority on occasion.. There needs to be an acknowledged leader in the session, or else conflict and contention is bound to crop up.
• The well-tried Destiny Chain model of Leadership Platform is an excellent tool to use in counselling sessions. It has a proven track record in embracing the motivational, directional and structural elements of successful movement. The Destiny Chain also allows for awakening of innovation but also embraces the necessary follow-up to ensure successful implementation. (for Destiny Chain introduction refer to The Law of Movement eBook from Leadership platform)
• There is a precious fun element in the implementation of a well-managed counselling strategy. Humour tends to crop up regularly and should not be allowed to stem positive momentum.

Good counselling!
The Old Man

(Learn more about ThinkLead Ecosystem at https://thinkleadecosystem.com/)

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