Anyone who wants to break new ground must think differently. How can you identify innovative capability in leaders?
What does innovative thinking and action mean?
This competency refers to the ability to question existing structures, adopt unconventional perspectives and develop creative yet practical solutions. It is not about creating “creative chaos”, but about the ability to develop new impulses in a focused way and embed them within an organisation under specific systemic or economic conditions.
Why is this relevant for leadership?
In dynamic markets, organisations need leaders who do not merely optimise what already exists but actively shape the future. Innovative capability plays a decisive role in determining whether organisations can respond effectively to changing conditions.
How do we address this in management assessments at managerberater?
Within our diagnostic approach, the managerberater Business Review, we work with real-life situations drawn from the professional context of experienced managers with overall accountability for results – and challenge them with regard to their innovative capability. In addition, we integrate abstract tasks and scenarios into our assessments in which established patterns of thinking are no longer sufficient. Among other aspects, we evaluate:
- the diversity of ideas generated
- the ability to structure and prioritise
- practical relevance and implementation focus
- the ability to shift perspective within the thinking process
A common practical misconception
Innovation is often put on the same level with volume and expressed in the form of buzzwords (“we need to digitalise”). What ultimately matters, however, is whether new ideas are relevant and sustainable.
How important is it for you to be able to assess “innovative thinking and action” when appointing leaders? What differences do you see across functions, roles or management levels? Contact us!
