The business innovation skillset
Critical thinking, flexibility, communication and openness are characteristics of a business innovator. According to Angèle M. Beausoleil, this is the business innovation skillset:
Problem diagnosis skills: To effectively solve problems, you must first learn how to diagnose, define and frame the right problems. This requires critical, reflective and empathic thinking. These skills are radically different from those used by today’s analytical thinkers and by those who tend to over-engineer approaches to human needs.
Navigating complexity skills: Today’s and tomorrow’s leaders need to develop the ability to deal with complexity and ambiguity and learn to adapt to the changing needs of customers, contexts and climates.
Communication skills: Those who have the willingness and courage to communicate their thoughts and ask more questions and solicit ideas from their team will prevail. Future-proofing your communication skills starts now, as you will be required to learn how to listen, observe and then translate customer needs into desirable products, services, marketing campaigns and ultimately, innovations.
Innovation-readiness: Those who are open to new experiences, accept failure as a pre-condition for success, quickly adopt new ideas and who have the ability and willingness to adapt to changing situations.
All of these characteristics can be learned and developed. Some come through experience, but primarily through observation and action.
Source: Business Design Thinking and Doing, Angèle M. Beausoleil.