Innovative cultures generate lots of tension (uncertainty and confusion) that needs to be counterbalanced by not easy-to-like-behavior, as explained in a recent HBR article - The hard truth about innovative cultures, p. 62-67, Jan-Feb (2019).
High-Quality Learning
Highly Disciplined Experiments
Research and Innovation
Collaboration
Cultural Flatness
High-Quality Learning
"You often don't know what you don't know, and you have to learn as you go." Rapid pivot from unsuccessful outcomes provides new ways of creating novel technologies or business models. For example, create simple prototypes that can validate a proof-of-concept and iterate new prototypes by applying the acquired knowledge and designs.
Highly Disciplined Experiments
One key takeaway is to select concepts that will yield the most learning value at the lowest cost, then establish clear criteria for deciding whether to move forward, modify, or pivot. Be more decisive on pivot early makes it less risky to try new things. It's necessary, though, that initially all ideas are considered, so during the initial exploration process, don't ask: "Is this true?" or "Is there data to support this idea?" but instead inquire: "What if this was true?" or "If only this were true, would it be valuable?" Cycle through more ideas more quickly (less than six months), and that cost less than $1 million. This disciplined process enables teams to laser-focus on the most critical technical uncertainties and to obtain faster feedback (i.e., move quickly in more promising directions).
Research and Innovation
Encourage criticism of your ideas and proposals - as related in Eisenhower's biography, " ... we are here to get the best possible results." Learning from negative feedback to move forward to the next level. It's safe to speak up with candor: unvarnished honesty is critical to innovation; it fuels discovery and improves outcomes. Be frank and respectful to others. Another way is that leaders to demand criticism of their ideas from their direct reports.
Collaboration
The sense of collective responsibility from people working on collaborative culture is key to fuel innovation within the companies. Accountability drives cooperative behavior. One lesson comes from the Amazon AWS Head, Andy Jassy, when he sought help from internal Amazon technology teams and external partners to map out the requirements, problems, and needs of this new cloud service. - " For Jassy, collaboration was essential to the success of a program for which he was personally accountable."
Cultural Flatness
In a culturally flat company - wide latitude to take action, make decisions, and voice opinions are given to employees regardless of their positions. It promotes a rich and diverse source of ideas from a broader community of contributors. Yet, it requires strong leadership to set clear strategic goals and direction. It reinforces what was said in the above paragraphs about accountability to drive collaborative behavior.