We are living in a fast changing time. To excel in this day and age, you must come up with novel ideas that will give you an edge over your contemporaries or competitors. One of the greatest fallacies of this generation is that innovation is a one man thing. Nobody can achieve success alone. In any achievement in life there are hidden heroes because all we know is a sum of the experiences we have had and what we have learned from all who has taught us directly or indirectly. Inspiration/motivation for innovation can come from a book, music, environment or discussion with a friend.

The truth is that whether you think of Larry Page of Google, Chris Knight of Ezinearticles, Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Steve Jobs of Apple, Bill Gates of Microsoft, Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Mike Adenuga of Globacom, John C. Maxwell of Equip, Mike Myatt of N2Growth, Anyaele Sam Chiyson of Chiysonovelty International, Ogwo David Emenike of Higherlife International, Oprah Winfrey of Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), Betty Irabor of Genevieve Magazine, Ben Murray Bruce of Silverbird, Pat Utomi of Lagos Business School, Mathew Ashimolowo of Kingsway International Christian Center (KICC) or any other leader, every great innovation is a product of the innovators interactions with a rich and diverse kind of people. Healthy communication and connecting with people can stir up great ideas in you.

Synergy provides fertile ground for the creation of new ideas or things because two good heads is better than one. As a leader that has the growth of your people in mind, you must make deliberate efforts to establish the right conditions and environment for innovation. Here are ways you can use to come with great innovations in your organization:

1. Forgo title
Title mentality has brought stagnation to creative betterment in many organizations because the leader wants to be the one that takes glory for all achievements. Every one knows you are the leader so, stop being bossy and create a common ground that makes your people to feel confident to share their ideas.

2. Be a good listener
The importance of listening cannot be overemphasized. It shows respect, builds relationships, increases knowledge, brings loyalty and generates ideas. The ability to diligently listen is a key to gaining influence with others and this makes them open up to you. Listen with your heart in other to get the minutest of information and meaning of what is being said.

3. Cultivate friendship
Friendship is a prerequisite for success and influence 24/7. It is a positive relationship you can use to create an environment where great ideas and human resources thrives and this will yield innovations that has never being in the world before.

4. Educate and develop your people
One of the best investments a leader can make is to invest in his people. When the people are better, the organization is better. If you can take action on these points listed above, you and your team will come up with novel ideas that are earth-shaking. Create an enabling environment for creative thinking and doing which breeds innovative ideas. Unleash the idea-virus in you and your people today!

© IFEANYI ENOCH ONUOHAOvercoming the Challenges of LifeIfeanyi Enoch Onuoha