When you think about the conditions necessary to foster innovation, taking a moment to reflect on that which doesn’t work can also provide some perspective. Communism is a failed and oppressive system and one that all but stifled creativity. Many years ago I read a book by Victor Suvorov called “Inside the Soviet Army”, well worth read, although it is a bit of an anachronism now, but with the current political climate who knows it may be relevent again.

Any who, there is one part in the book when a group of Russian Engineers are reverse engineering an American plane.  Their orders are to build the new plane as an exact replica of the one they have. At one point one of the engineers discovers a hole through the wing of the aircraft, probably a bullet hole. He consults his superior and indicates that there is this hole in the wing and only one wing. The superior recites their orders; we are to rebuild the plane as an exact replica, no exceptions.

When command and control stifle creativity, common sense and any sort of lateral thinking there is a good chance you are in a fully dysfunctional or bureaucratic organization.

To inspire creativity and innovation employees need to feel empowered rather than restrained .

Ian Graham

Filed under: Camp Culture, Innovation by Ian
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