Top 10 Ways To Be Innovative In The Workplace

Let’s look at some of the things that we can do to be innovative at work!

10. Be Flexible

Having an open mindset and being able to accept change is key to allowing you to accept, and implement innovation. Be willing to adapt to new circumstances – do not be afraid of new ways of doing an old task, or a new product that you suddenly need to sell.
 

9. Solve your own problems

When faced with a problem in the workplace, try to solve it first on your own without asking for your colleagues’ help. That way, you will discover the various issues at hand, and understand the connections better. When you do that, you will find out what needs improvement and what can be changed.
 

8. Hold brain storming sessions

It is often easier to come up with ideas when more people think together. So gather a group of colleagues and brain storm about certain issues that you feel need to be improved. By discussing together, you can all contribute to ideas and you can get inspired by something that a colleague has to say. Be ready to share the credit though!

7. Reduce stress

A stressed and tired employee is not able to think with clarity. It is therefore very hard for him/her to come up with innovative ways of improving the workplace. Find ways to reduce your stress levels by managing your time better, listening to relaxing music, going for a family holiday, or anything else that works for you.
 

6. Read read read

There is no better way to get inspiration than reading – read about anything and everything. Broadening your horizons and reading about topics as diverse as gardening, science and anthropology can definitely give you a wide range of ideas on how to incorporate principles or norms from various contexts and environments to your workplace.

5. Spend time on long-term thoughts

It can be difficult to find the time to come up with innovative ideas. We are usually so bogged down with our daily tasks that we do not have time to think about improving our processes, or even the quality of our products. Find a way to dedicate some time to think about long-term goals, and the best way to sustain the process/service/product in question for much longer.
 

4. Be curious

Never stop wanting to find out more about different aspects of your work and processes that you follow; why things are done in a certain way, and the products or services that you provide. Once you stop being curious, you will not be able to come up with ingenious ways of improving the processes and products.
 

3. What? Why? When? Where? Who? And how?

Keep asking questions all the time – keep challenging your bosses and colleagues as well as yourself by questioning every part of your work. When you ask questions, you trigger people’s minds and force them to think about a particular problem. That way, they will be able to see what is really wrong with the issue and how they can change it.

2. Don’t accept the status quo

Just because something has been done a certain way for a long time, it does not mean that it is right. Be willing to question and redesign old habits. Do not feel that you have to follow everyone else; instead observe and analyse carefully and when you find that there is something wrong with a current way of performing tasks – discuss with your colleagues and see how you can make a change.
 

1. Take the risk!

It is often intimidating to come up with new ideas. We often feel that our supervisors’ and colleagues may disapprove of us. However, you should be willing to take risks and put forward an innovative idea that you may have – just be sure to do all the necessary.