During the last half of June, we are focusing on the characteristics of an innovative organization. Which of these attributes are already within your local command? Which of these elements is your organization promoting? Which of these traits should your team advance?
Innovation requires the ability to question norms, synthesize different views, and collaborate to develop unique and powerful solutions. Cognitive diversity is the DNA of innovation.
Fully using the cognitive diversity inside and outside our organization requires acknowledging the unique traits of individuals, and rethinking who and how we bring people together to collaborate to solve problems. Such cooperation often avoids group-think, a condition which has created past national security failures.
Innovation cannot be restricted to stovepipes within the organization and leadership has to be trained to build teams not just using lists of qualifications, but rather through understanding the complexity of thought processes and organizational dynamics.
Share your ideas on the DON/SECNAV Innovation website: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/innovation/.