Project management often provides the ideal environment in which to harness innovation. A project manager’s skills need to include the ability to encourage and develop creative thinking to achieve results.

Watch this video to find out what will enable innovation through projects.

What will enable innovation?

#1 Listen

Listening creates a safe space and increases trust. In the context of listening we enter in a psychological state where we are more receptive to be creative.

#2 Find your flow

In sport they talk about getting into the zone, where they describe an altered state of consciousness, an increased mental state and even a heightened state of enjoyment.

We need to be in environments that are fun and innovative. Project managers need to enable that through conversation, having fun and giving meaning to work. Let people engage all their senses, because we think with our whole body.  We’ll immerse ourselves in a state of productivity that can increase our productivity by up to 60%.

#3 Social sensitivity

Diversity is a core aspect of innovation. It helps to have different perspectives, to care about each other and to have authentic leaders.

#4 Building a community

The work of Peter Block, called Social Fabric, is centered around the need to belong. Building a community gives a sense of connectedness, where collaboration is a choice and people realise that they can create more together than on their own.

#5 Culture of appreciation

Encourage a culture of appreciation. Reward and acknowledge people by their name, give empathy that will increase the feeling of connectedness.

Where projects consist of self-organising teams, project managers need to build resilience in the system to handle the uncertainty. It’s important to remember that you cannot innovate without disruption.