By Colleen Gallion

Innovation is an inside job.

In my years of supporting organizations through process improvement initiatives, I’ve encountered two beliefs that often kill innovation:

• New technology equals innovation

• Innovation is the work of outside consultants

Meanwhile, a treasure trove of innovative potential is waiting to be unleashed within every organization. Innovation is a bit like Dorothy trying to get back to Kansas: The answer was there all along. You just have to know where to look.

Now click your heels three times, and let’s unlock your team’s innovative potential.

Start with the pebbles

Take a moment and note three annoying things that happen in your workday. For example: You walk 1,000 steps every time you print something (assuming the printer works). Every time you want coffee, the pot is empty. People schedule back-to-back meetings, start late, and run over time.

These little things are like pebbles in your shoe. They aren’t major issues on their own, but over time, they cause real pain and frustration.

Pebble problems are a great way to strengthen your innovation muscles. First, they’re often within your control, or at least your sphere of influence, so you stand a good chance of fixing them. Second, if your ideas don’t work, the consequences are limited. Third, if your innovations succeed, the effect is meaningful.

Think like an improv team

Innovative ideas are rarely obvious at first. Our brains follow well-worn neural paths, so our first ideas are usually the least creative. That’s OK. You just need those early ideas as jumping-off points.

That’s where improv comes in. The rules of improvisational theater are surprisingly effective in a brainstorming setting.

Say “yes, and”

No matter how zany an idea may sound, it’s a spark of something potentially great.

Say the issue is an empty coffee pot. Someone suggests, “Let’s hire a barista!” You probably can’t afford one, but what’s the valuable idea underneath? A barista would ensure accountability.

Try using the phrase: “What I like about that idea is…” For instance: “What I like about the barista idea is that someone would be responsible for the coffee. I wonder if an intern could take that on?”

Build momentum

Instead of shutting ideas down with, “We tried that,” or “That won’t work,” look for a way to build on what’s already been said.

Let’s say the intern barista idea failed in the past. How could you reshape it? What if the coffee shop across the street could offer free parking in exchange for providing you with a barista?

Add, don’t ask

Rather than stopping the flow with a question like, “What labor laws might that violate?” offer information: “To offer a parking space in exchange for coffee service, we’d need to check labor laws.”

Adding keeps the energy moving forward.

Create a no-judgment zone

Sarcasm and cynicism are kryptonite to innovation. To foster creative thinking, people must feel safe taking risks, even if they fail.

Real return on investment: ownership and engagement

Helping your organization build its innovation muscles isn’t just about fixing small problems or saving on consultant fees. It’s about engagement. Inviting your team into the problem-solving process gives them ownership, and that builds morale, momentum, and trust.

Before you send out that request for proposals, consider investing in your team’s creative capacity. You might be surprised by just how innovative your own people can be.

COLLEEN GALLION is an ICF-certified professional coach whose passion is supporting entrepreneurs and founders in building healthy and sustainable teams. For more information, visit www.gallioncoaching.com.