innovation managers | Human-Centered Change and Innovation

Six Key Skills Innovation Managers Should Have

GUEST POST from Art Inteligencia

Innovation managers are responsible for identifying and developing new ideas and products that will give their company a competitive advantage. They must have a combination of creative and analytical skills, as well as the ability to lead and motivate a team. Here are some key skills that an innovation manager should possess:

1. Strategic Thinking

Innovation managers must have the ability to think strategically, developing long-term plans and strategies that can help their organization stay ahead of the competition. They must be able to identify new opportunities for growth and be able to effectively communicate their ideas to the rest of the organization.

2. Leadership

Innovation managers must be able to lead and motivate a team to achieve their goals. They must be able to foster a collaborative environment and ensure that everyone is working together to reach their objectives.

3. Communication

Innovation managers must have strong communication skills in order to effectively convey their ideas and plans to the rest of the organization. They must also be able to effectively listen to their team and be able to provide feedback in a constructive manner.

4. Analytical Skills

Innovation managers must be able to analyze data and make informed decisions. They must be able to identify trends and patterns and use them to their advantage.

5. Creativity

Innovation managers must be able to come up with creative solutions to problems. They must be able to think outside the box and come up with innovative ideas that will give their company an edge.

6. Project Management

Innovation managers must be able to manage projects from start to finish. They must be able to effectively prioritize tasks and ensure that deadlines are met.

By possessing these six key skills, an innovation manager can help their organization stay ahead of the competition and achieve their goals. And of course, a good understanding of the concepts in my friend Braden Kelley’s excellent innovation primer Stoking Your Innovation Bonfire will help as well.

Image credit: Pexels

Sign up here to get Human-Centered Change & Innovation Weekly delivered to your inbox every week.

I’m a certified Innovation Catalyst. Are you?

Did you know you that for FREE between now and January 31, 2014 you could become certified as an Innovation Catalyst by the Global Innovation Management Institute as a special offer in preparation for the launch of four (4) full levels of innovation certification?

The FREE Innovation Catalyst certification is a subset of what will be offered as part of the Level 1 Certification (Innovation Associate), which people can prepare for by either:

Self-study

Attending a TWO DAY in-person training session conducted by an approved trainer

Completing eLearning that I will be providing

The Level 1 Certification for Innovation Associates will be much more involved, but to give people a taste of what will be included the Global Innovation Management Institute (GIMI) has created the FREE Innovation Catalyst certification, and because it is a subset of the Level 1 content, it will help you get off to a running start in the achievement of the other more detailed levels.