How do you inspire innovation?

Do you ask for ideas? Do you hold creative sessions? Or do you speak like Jeff Immelt of GE who asked his teams for

"breath-taking, mind blogging, word rattling, technological innovation"

Now that is inspiring talk, that is helping people not to have an idea but to have a dream....to create something special. Both approaches are asking in reality for the same thing, but one uses words that stir emotion, that stir the company to want to create success.

Making a difference

Here is a quote from George Bernard Shaw

"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who look for the circumstances they want and if they can't find them, make them"

This is a powerful quote - how often do we blame everything around us for not being "successful"?

I believe that we all make a difference, if we want to.....making it happen can be hard but that is what makes achievement feel so great. So if you are faced in your team with people who say "I can't because...." then ask them "How can we create the circumstances.... or What do we need to do to ensure success"