Ben Bensaou's plea for a new culture of innovation
Innovation is not a flash of inspiration - it is a process. And it is precisely this process that Prof. Ben Bensaou, renowned professor at INSEAD Business School, explains in an interview with Christian Underwood in an understandable and practical way - for managers, SMEs and anyone who wants to demystify innovation.
Innovation starts with each individual
Forget the cliché of the ingenious inventor or the pioneering Silicon Valley start-up. Ben Bensaou shows: The best innovations often come from small ideas - from people who work close to the problem. Innovation is not a privilege of R&D departments, but an attitude that can be encouraged throughout the company. "Anyone can innovate - if they are encouraged and empowered to do so," says Ben Bensaou.
Innovate instead of innovation
The difference is more than just linguistic. While the word innovation often creates pressure ("Now you have to deliver something big!"), innovating clears the way for an open, creative process. Observing, asking questions, recognizing patterns - everyone in the company can learn and apply all of this. It's not about the perfect idea, but about continuous curiosity and improvement.
Two engines for corporate success
Ben Bensaou describes successful companies as "two-engine systems": On the one hand, there is the executive engine that efficiently handles day-to-day business. On the other hand, there needs to be an innovation engine that creates space for creative thought processes - deliberately, legitimized and protected from everyday pressures. This is the only way to create a sustainable capacity for innovation.
Leadership means: allowing, encouraging, thanking
A key learning: managers do not have to achieve innovation themselves - but they must enable it. This begins with "permission" to think creatively, continues with the provision of tools and time and ends with recognition. "Ideas are gifts," says Ben Bensaou. Anyone who receives them should do one thing first: Say thank you.
For all those who don't want to wait for miracles
This episode is aimed at female entrepreneurs, managers and decision-makers who do not want to leave innovation to chance. It shows that it doesn't require rocket science - but a clear attitude, openness and the courage to break new ground.
🎧 Listen now and discover how you can unleash great innovative power with small steps
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