Innovations will not be discovered, developed and scaled by groups of like-minded people of similar background. Solutions will demand diversity and inclusion leapfrogs. Leaders will have to take a fresh look at how they:
1.Define what diversity means for their organization, redesigning processes and metrics to manage progress,
2. Act and engage personally to create a more inclusive culture, with clear incentives to motivate change, and
3. See and leverage the linkages between a diverse and inclusive culture and innovation.
Too many conversations about innovation prioritize technology as the major driver. Technology is one element of the complex innovation execution puzzle. Technology is abundant.
Diversity (of thought and perspective, not simply gender and racial representation) and inclusion )the culture and environment where all members feel respected, valued and heard) are core to building and sustaining an effective innovation pipeline.