Questions on Innovation

I got a list of questions to probe people’s innovation ability. Here is the list, and I think it is well thoughts and written.

• Finds new ideas by relating out-of-industry trends and patterns to the business.

• Creatively solves challenging problems by drawing on diverse ideas or knowledge.

• Often finds solutions to problems by drawing on solutions or ideas developed in other industries, fields, or disciplines.

• Frequently connects ideas from industries or situations unrelated to our business (often through analogy).

• Frequently thinks ‘outside the box’ and others comment on this ability.

• Frequently has ideas or perspectives that diverge radically from others’ perspectives.

• Does careful analysis to make well-thought-out decisions at work.

• Strongly prefers to make data-driven decisions rather than rely on gut instinct or intuition.

• Insists on realism and facts when making decisions.

• Does not jump into new projects and ventures or act quickly without careful thinking and analysis.

• Constantly asks thought-provoking questions to get at the root of the problem.

• Frequently asks questions to understand why products and projects under perform.

• Asks insightful ‘what if’ questions that provoke exploration of new possibilities and frontiers.

• Often asks questions that challenge the status quo.

• Regularly asks questions that challenge others’ fundamental assumptions.

• Excels at breaking down a goal or plan into the micro tasks required to achieve it.

• Consistently creates detailed plans to get work done.

• Regularly makes and follows plans to accomplish work.

• Does work according to an organized plan.

• Is incredibly well-organized in work life.

• Gets innovative ideas by directly observing how people interact with products and services.

• Has a continuous flow of new business ideas that comes through observing the world.

• Regularly observes the activities of customers, suppliers, or other companies to get new business ideas.

• Often pays attention to everyday experiences to get new ideas.

• Is very observant of the world.

• Must have everything finished ‘just right’ when completing a work assignment.

• Pays attention to details at work.

• Is careful to avoid making mistakes.

• Focuses on the details to make sure work is done precisely.

• Consistently follows through on all commitments and finishes what is started.

• Has a history of taking things apart to see how they work.

• Actively searches for new ideas through experimenting.

• Frequently experiments to create new ways of doing things.

• Is adventurous, always looking for new experiences.

• Always follows through to complete a task, no matter what the obstacles are.

• Holds self and others strictly accountable for getting results.

• Doesn’t need a push to get started on new tasks and assignments.

• Doesn’t procrastinate on things that should get done.

• Regularly meets with people outside of the immediate industry to find best practices and spark new ideas.

• Regularly talks with a diverse set of people (e.g., from different business functions, companies, industries, geographies, etc.) to find and refine new business ideas.

• Actively seeks out individuals from very different backgrounds who can help find and evaluate new ideas.

• Frequently interacts with a large network of contacts to get ideas for new products, services, and customers.

• Attends many diverse professional and/or academic conferences outside of the immediate industry/profession.

• Is not afraid of making big mistakes.

• Frequently takes risks.

• Has a strong desire to change the world.

• Thrives on changing the status quo.

• Creates an environment where others share diverse types of knowledge to discover unexpected connections among ideas.

• Encourages others to draw on diverse ideas or knowledge to creatively solve challenging problems.

• Engages others often in brainstorming to generate wild or very different ideas.

• Cultivates an environment that supports the open sharing of different, innovative ideas.

• Promotes asking “why” questions to get at the root of a problem.

• Encourages others to ask questions that challenge the status quo or conventional ways of doing things.

• Encourages others to ask “what if” questions to explore new frontiers and possibilities.

• Cultivates new ideas by giving people frequent opportunities to observe the activities of customers, competitors, or suppliers.

• Provides adequate time for others to directly observe how people interact with our products and/or services.

• Encourages others to pay careful attention to everyday experiences in search of surprising, new ways of doing things.

• Encourages others to be adventurous and seek out new experiences.

• Praises others for experimenting with new ways of doing things.

• Actively supports experimenting by others to discover and develop new ideas.

• Provides opportunities for others to network with individuals from very different backgrounds or perspectives.

• Encourages others to engage in frequent conversations with a diverse set of people (e.g., from different professions, business functions, companies, industries, geographies, etc.) to find and refine new ideas.

• Supports others’ attendance at professional or academic conferences or events to meet people outside of their profession, function, industry, or geography.

• Encourages others to challenge the status quo.

• Supports others’ efforts to initiate significant changes in how we do things.

• Encourages people to take risks.

• Advocates taking risks to pursue interesting new ideas or paths of action. 68.

• Stays more informed about industry and technology trends than colleagues.

• Does not make rash decisions.