One of the most valuable traits leaders look for in employees is an innovative spirit, and there are steps every leader can take to cultivate innovation within their team, according to the Harvard Business Review.
Here are four ways leaders can build an innovative team.
1. Hire for mission. Intrinsic motivation is one of the most important factors in deciding how creative people will be in their work. If leaders hire employees that believe in the mission of the company, there is a greater chance they will bring innovative solutions to problems they face.
2. Promote psychological safety. People will only be comfortable sharing out-of-the-box ideas if they feel safe among their fellow team members.
3. Create diversity. While it may be tempting to create a team of similar workers who seem like they will get along, the team is more likely to explore different solution avenues if the team consists of different types of thinkers.
4. Value teamwork. The best innovators are knowledge brokers who leverage the different opinions of team members, and the best way to encourage innovation is by encouraging the group thought process.