[Supervisor Success: Mastering People Skills & Cultivating High-Performing Teams is a monthly series from UCOR’s Human Resources Manager Mary Alice Douglass designed to support front line supervisors.]
In today’s fast-paced world, a team that can innovate has a huge advantage. Fostering innovation means actively creating a workplace where new ideas are welcomed, encouraged, and explored. As a supervisor, you’re crucial in making your team feel safe enough to experiment and learn from mistakes.
To get those innovative ideas flowing, actively seek out what your team members are thinking, even if an idea seems a bit wild at first. Give them opportunities to brainstorm, set aside time and resources for exploring new concepts, and celebrate even small wins.
Creating a culture where “failure” is seen as a learning step, not something to be punished, is important so that people aren’t afraid to take smart risks.
Things to Consider:
- At the start or end of a team meeting, dedicate 10-15 minutes just for “idea sharing.” Let everyone bring up new concepts, challenges they’re thinking about, or potential solutions.
- When a team member suggests a new idea, respond with curiosity instead of immediate judgment. Ask questions like, “How might we test that?” or “What resources would we need?”
What to Avoid: Don’t shut down new ideas right away, even if they seem impractical. Instead, try to understand the thinking behind them. Also, don’t punish “failed” experiments. Instead, encourage your team to reflect on what they learned and how to use that knowledge going forward.
