Innovation isn’t just a lightning bolt of genius—it’s a discipline. It’s a capability that can be nurtured and developed inside organizations, no matter the size or industry. But the real question is: how do you actually teach a company to innovate?
There are four critical components—or “legs of the stool”—that support innovation inside a business:
1. Process
First, you need to teach people how to think differently. That means focusing on the process of innovation itself. What methods, tools, or frameworks can help teams break old patterns and approach problems in fresh ways? It’s not enough to just say “be innovative”—you have to show them how.
2. Product
Next, you need clarity on what you’re trying to build. Are you developing a new service, launching a new solution, or testing a completely different business model? Innovation needs a target. Without it, creative energy can drift without direction or impact.
3. Press (aka Environment & Culture)
The third component is the culture—the “press” or surrounding context. Is your company a place where new ideas thrive? Or do they get shut down before they have a chance to grow? The right environment fosters psychological safety, rewards experimentation, and encourages risk-taking.
4. People
Finally, it comes down to people. What behaviors, attitudes, and leadership actions are encouraging or discouraging innovation? Are your teams empowered to contribute ideas? Do they feel ownership over new solutions? The right people practices can unlock creativity across every level of the organization.
Bottom line: To build a culture of innovation, you need to focus on the process, the product, the press, and the people. It’s about creating a system that consistently produces new ideas—and turns them into meaningful outcomes.