Open innovation and ‘kind learning’ cultures

March 16, 2010

A recent report in the academic press, “Intuition in Organizations: Implications for Strategic Management”, states that intuition can take time to manifest fully, and often needs an ‘incubation period’ - where other connections and serendipitous insights can emerge “without any irritable reaching after fact and reason’’ (in the words of John Keats). It is difficult to “accommodate within organizational cultures that scorn fallibility and

prohibit experimentation, risk taking and departures from efficient standard operating procedures”. We would add that in open and collaborative innovation the imperative to honour, give space to and build upon the intuitions of our partners is vital to success. This means we must give feedback that respects and privileges the importance of intuition rather than destroy this sensitive organ through cynicism and bullying (no matter how well it is dressed up). This kind of project culture is called by the experts a ‘kind learning’ environment and is vital for all those wanting to reap the rewards of collaboration - particularly when we know that often the mavericks have the winning ideas that organisations are looking for. Subject these people to scorn and their willingness to contribute disappears quickly and with it the big ideas that all are looking for.