Handbook of Leadership Theory and Practice

21

UNLOCKING THE SLICES OF GENIUS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION Leading for Innovation

Linda A. Hill, Maurizio Travaglini, Greg Brandeau, and Emily Stecker

THERE IS a widespread consensus that innovation is fast becoming the principal source of differentiation and competitive advantage in today’s knowledge-intensive economy.¹ In a global survey of 1,000 CEOs and leaders of institutions across the public and private sectors, executives painted a surprisingly consistent portrait of the traits they believe will lead to outstanding performance. Two of the five characteristics identified were “innovative beyond customer imagination” and “disruptive by nature.”² The message was clear—to be fit for the future, organizations have to innovate fast and boldly: ...