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Innovation|Harness Your Network to Unlock Innovation
Innovation

Harness Your Network to Unlock Innovation

Three practices can help. by Bill McEvily and Anne ter Wal

From the Magazine (November–December 2023)
Timo Kuilder

Summary.   

Why do so many big companies get poor returns on all the money they invest in innovation? A large body of research suggests that it’s because their managers tend to think novel ideas are “deviant” and resist them. As a result such ideas get watered down to make them less threatening—or get squashed altogether. The solution, the authors’ studies show, is to inspire, support, and protect innovation by tapping into your networks. Three practices are especially useful. First, find and mobilize external innovation catalysts who are adept at synthesizing diverse perspectives and identifying creative solutions. Second, engage with internal sparring partners who can highlight potential objections and help fuse ideas with your company’s mission and turn them into compelling business propositions. Third, selectively sequence the introduction of those ideas within your social circles in the company to stress-test and gradually gain buy-in for them. While there’s nothing inherently magical about these practices, if you follow them, you’ll find that innovating in a large, mature company is not only viable but highly promising.
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Many corporate CEOs are unhappy with the level of innovation they’re getting for the billions they pour into R&D. One root cause of the low return, a large body of research suggests, lies in the managerial tendency to treat novel ideas as aberrations to be resisted. At each stage of the innovation process—from inception to integration to implementation—executives will either water down “deviant” ideas to make them fit within existing businesses or crush them altogether.

Read more on Innovation or related topics Professional networks, Persuasion, Leadership and Leadership qualities
A version of this article appeared in the November–December 2023 issue of Harvard Business Review.
Read more on Innovation or related topics Professional networks, Persuasion, Leadership and Leadership qualities

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