Do you like being comfortable? Putting our feet in comfy slippers is a relaxing and comforting experience. Wearing our favourite t-shirt and jeans is similar. Even getting a little dressed up for an event can feel like such an effort that we might question if it’s really worth it.

At work we sometimes get into a comfortable rhythm such that we don’t want to interrupt it. We might even know that there are better, faster, more effective ways to do things, but the disruption to our comfort zone makes us reluctant to try. 

What is an innovative mindset? 

We have talked of a growth mindset, whereby being open to learning new things actually helps our brain grow. An innovative mindset is where we search for better ways to do things. It is linked to problem solving. We know that problem solving requires asking better questions to understand the context of the problem. What seems a small change for you might create a bigger problem for others. 

An organisation displays an innovative mindset when it routinely looks for better ways to operate, to upgrade its services or introduce new products. This doesn’t mean continually operating outside our comfort zone, but it does require embracing change, assessing risk, and allowing for failure. 

We don’t have to be constantly changing (despite the world and technology around us doing so). But we do need to be regularly assessing the need for change, and be prepared to flex our mind with the solutions we embrace.