Tag Archives: innovation executives

Eight Types of Innovation Executives

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Revisited

Eight Types of Innovation Executives

GUEST POST from Stefan Lindegaard

Over the past few decades working with corporate innovation, I’ve noticed recurring patterns especially when it comes to executive leadership.

True, we shouldn’t put leaders in boxes. But we also can’t afford to ignore the signs. That’s why I created this visual: an overview of eight (8) types of innovation executives.

It’s a simple ‘tool’ to help you recognize behaviors, traits, and (in)actions that influence your organization’s innovation capabilities.

By spotting these patterns, you can better understand where your executive team stands and how to move forward with initiatives that strengthen your ability to innovate.

I am curious: which of these types do you recognize in your organization? Or maybe even in yourself? Feel free to drop a comment.

1. No Problem

Best-case scenario: executives who understand innovation and get personally involved.

Hint: Leverage their support to upgrade other key leaders.

2. No Need

“We don’t need innovation.” If that’s the belief, you’ve got a deeper issue.

Hint: Understand the mindset. If change isn’t possible, consider walking away.

3. No Results

“We tried, it didn’t work.” Past failures lead to present resistance.

Hint: Deliver quick wins, back up with data, and rebuild credibility.

4. No Time

“Too busy.” Innovation gets pushed aside by daily demands.

Hint: Integrate with existing priorities—show how everyone wins without adding work.

5. No Money

There’s no budget for innovation, capabilities, or execution.

Hint: Shift the focus to people. Show impact. Demonstrate ROI.

6. No Walk

They say the right things, but take no real action.

Hint: Test for walk vs. talk. Use respectful confrontation to prompt real commitment.

7. No Responsibility

“Not my job. Go ask someone else.” Ownership is missing.

Hint: Innovation is everyone’s responsibility — starting at the top. Align ownership.

8. No Clue

“I’ve never been trained in this.” A lack of understanding, not resistance.

Hint: This is workable. Provide support, context, and practical tools.

Image Credit: Stefan Lindegaard

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Top 10 Human-Centered Change & Innovation Articles of December 2023

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Top 10 Human-Centered Change & Innovation Articles of December 2023Drum roll please…

At the beginning of each month, we will profile the ten articles from the previous month that generated the most traffic to Human-Centered Change & Innovation. Did your favorite make the cut?

But enough delay, here are December’s ten most popular innovation posts:

  1. Five Key Digital Transformation Barriers — by Howard Tiersky
  2. Achieving a Transformation Vision for a Better Future — by Howard Tiersky
  3. Eight Innovation Executive Types — by Stefan Lindegaard
  4. Skills versus Judgement — by Mike Shipulski
  5. We Need to Stop Glorifying Failure — by Greg Satell
  6. What Will People See? — by Mike Shipulski
  7. Don’t Waste Your Time Talking to Customers — by Robyn Bolton
  8. The Amazing Efficiency of Systematic Guessing — by Dennis Stauffer
  9. Four Change Empowerment Myths — by Greg Satell
  10. Do the Right Thing — by Mike Shipulski

BONUS – Here are five more strong articles published in November that continue to resonate with people:

If you’re not familiar with Human-Centered Change & Innovation, we publish 4-7 new articles every week built around innovation and transformation insights from our roster of contributing authors and ad hoc submissions from community members. Get the articles right in your Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin feeds too!

Have something to contribute?

Human-Centered Change & Innovation is open to contributions from any and all innovation and transformation professionals out there (practitioners, professors, researchers, consultants, authors, etc.) who have valuable human-centered change and innovation insights to share with everyone for the greater good. If you’d like to contribute, please contact me.

P.S. Here are our Top 40 Innovation Bloggers lists from the last four years:

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Eight Innovation Executive Types

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Eight Innovation Executive Types

GUEST POST from Stefan Lindegaard

Don’t put your leaders in boxes, but don’t ignore the signs neither. Look for traits, behaviors and action – or lack there or. Use the insight to make your leaders and executive teams – and thus your organization – even better at shaping the future.

1. No problem

‪The best scenario = executives who understand, get personally involved‬. Hint: Influence, upgrade other executives, key people together

2. No need

If someone really thinks innovation is not needed, you’re in trouble. Hint: Analyze reasons, consider actions – if any (just walk away?)

3. No results

Been there. It’s not worth it. Hint: Get small wins, back up with data, build credibility

4. No time

Sorry, but day-to-day activities are more important. Hint: Align initiatives, everyone wins w/o extra time needed

5. No money

Minimum budgets for execution, corporate capabilities. Hint: Focus on people, show ROI

6. Talk but no walk

Many talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk. Hint: Proof there is more talk than walk, constructive confrontation

7. No responsibility

Talk with Sandra. That’s why she’s our CIO. Hint: It’s is everyone’s responsibility, align initiatives

8. No clue

Sorry, no training on this. I don’t know how it works. Hint: You can work with this, upgrade and support

Thoughts?

Stefan Lindegaard Eight Innovation Executive Types

Image Credit: Stefan Lindegaard, Pexels

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