#1 Creative thinker
The first quality of an innovative leader is a creative thinker. You have to be able to think outside the box and come up with fresh ideas that will set you apart from your competitors.
You need to be someone who can see problems as opportunities, not just challenges. Being critical also helps–you’ve got to know what’s working for your business right now, so you don’t lose sight of it in pursuit of new things or different ideas. And finally, networking with people inside and outside your industry gives you access to information most others aren’t privy too which can help open doors where they might otherwise remain shut.
#2 Risk-taker
Innovation means taking risks–that’s just part of the process. You can’t be afraid to fail, and you need a certain degree of courage if you’re going to lead your team through new territory.
The best leaders know how to manage risk, though. They weigh out different courses of action before they decide on which one is most likely to succeed and then go with it. It might not always work out perfectly, but this kind of calculated risk-taking is what leads organizations down untrodden paths for success.
#3 Confidence
It’s impossible to be an innovative leader like Geoff Hirson without confidence. You have to believe in yourself and your team–without that, you’re not going anywhere fast. It takes a lot of self-assurance to stand up for something when it’s different from the norm or when other people are telling you it won’t work out. But believing in what you can accomplish is half the battle if you want to innovate successfully.
Those are some qualities every innovator needs! Do any come naturally? If not, don’t worry–you may just need more practice before they become second nature! For example, try brainstorming new ideas on how your company could do things differently next time there’s downtime at work instead of scrolling through Facebook on your phone.
#4 Emotionally stable
Innovation requires having a lot of ideas–and you’re not going to come up with them if you can’t take criticism. So it would be best if you were emotionally stable when in charge because you can weather the tough times and make it through without losing your cool or giving up when things get tough. Emotional stability goes hand-in-hand with self-assurance, too–if you know your own capabilities and what motivates you, then no one else’s opinions will shake that foundation.
You’ll also have better decision-making skills when emotions aren’t clouding your thinking process so much! In fact, studies show that people who are depressed tend to be overly critical of themselves, which isn’t helpful for coming up with new ideas at all. When you’re emotionally stable, decision-making is easier and better for your business in the long run.
With the right attitude and just a little practice, you can start implementing these qualities into your workday.
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel – take what’s worked for other companies in different industries and apply it to yours! Innovation doesn’t happen overnight, but if you keep at it, soon enough, leading like an innovator will be second nature.