How to innovate when you’re not the big boss

Given the unrelenting pace of change surrounding organisations in virtually every industry, companies are looking for executives who know how to innovate — not simply manage the status quo.

Fortunately, demonstrating your skills in this area doesn’t demand that you single-handedly develop a new breakthrough product or revise the company’s overall business model.

Usually, if you search, there are opportunities in your current position to display your ability to drive change, even if you’re in a support function like finance or human resources.

Senior-level decision-makers aren’t looking for someone at your level to make “roll the dice’’ bets that can have a significant negative impact on company performance.

Rather, they’re interested in the quality of your ideas and how you shepherd them through the organisation — whether you’re trying to introduce a new organisation design or revise a management process.

So look for opportunities in your current job to grow the business or change how things get done.

Is the annual budgeting process overly time-consuming and out of sync with the pace of the business?

Personal skills

Is there a better way to identify and respond to the needs of customers?

Keep in mind that in addition to the results of your proposed innovation, senior executives are looking for a series of personal skills and attributes that serve as a preview of coming attractions concerning your ability to lead change at the executive level.

For example, are you able to deal with uncertainty and ambiguity — or do you get uncomfortable when situations aren’t black and white?

Are you prepared to take prudent risks — and can you rebound from failure and learn something from the experience?

Can you communicate a compelling case for change and enlist others to support your proposed innovation?

Do you have the managerial courage to persist in the face of opposition?

Without periodic innovation — in product, process and organisation — organisations tend to grow rigid over time.