Innovation tied to Change?

How important is innovation? I love the first hand stories of managers that tell about a great book they have read and how it has opened the doors of their minds to a new vantage point, only to have their superiors "rain on their parade" and explain away the potential benefits. In 80% of the cases, their boss gave them the book! Irony? Before you quickly dismiss the irony of such occurrences, think about the ramifications. To morale for sure (and yet this is often overlooked), but also to the health of the organization. Here is a question I have asked: "Why did your boss give you the book?" Almost always, the answer is to help the organization solve a problem. Most of us have been there; trying to make a difference. Then, you hit pay dirt. You read well into the middle of night remarking to yourself (out loud), "This is exactly the answer!" Only to be put in your place the next morning at work. How sad Well, here is yet another chance to raise your blood pressure (as if we need more "at bats" at this activity!): Jack's Notebook by Gregg Fraley Studying up for my presentation at the DoD Performance Symposium on June 9, 2010 on the methodology and tools of Goldratt's Theory of Constraints (TOC), I picked this book up for insight into Innovation's role in Change Management. I have not been disappointed. In fact, I owe Fraley a new review based on this aspect of this great book. But I digress... Here is an idea Buy two copies of this book and give your boss a copy! Maybe the inverse will work? Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey, Jonah Throughput.us (843) 564-4754 P.S. My presentation is on Wednesday, June 9th at 12:45 PM and is innocently {grin} titled: "System Optimization and Synchronization using TOC to Accelerate Change." If you are in the DoD space, do come up and introduce yourself. ©2010 Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey. All rights reserved.