Opinion | A new way of thinking about performance
Developing an innovation mindset could mean the difference between being a disruptor rather than the disrupted
At Accenture, we often talk about how technology is disrupting markets in unprecedented ways. New business and economic models are evolving. And the new normal is made up of companies that are innovative and agile.
This isn’t a news flash to business executives. Everyone is grappling with responding to disruption. And the market for talent has never been more competitive. To attract and retain the best people, companies need to do more than talk about innovation and new ways of working. The C-suite needs to focus on both the customer – as well as the employee experience. To drive innovation, you need to work in a more agile, collaborative and iterative way.
But the topic is still amorphous. It is hard to wrap your arms around the challenge.
So how do you change your way of thinking? Develop an innovation mindset. That means:
Innovate to Disrupt. Do not accept the status quo. Instead, become more comfortable working in the unknown, staring at a blank piece of paper. Share ideas with others, accept challenges, keep pushing back and forth to come up with new ways to solve a problem.
Design for excellence. We’re all used to working to key performance indicators or financial metrics. Most people want a target, seek to meet it, and move on. Instead, try to shift your thinking to working toward satisfaction. If you’re building or making something – ask yourself: “How would I want to use this if I were the customer?” If you’re selling something, put yourself in the buyers’ shoes. In short, try to please your best self, and focus less on just meeting the metrics.
