Innovation needs nurturing

 In the latest edition of Mc Kinsey Quarterly journal, Mario Marino narrates his memories of early 1990s, when a seasoned executive shared a metaphor: he said that “innovation is like a coral reef. Marine biologists don’t fully understand what causes reefs to form, but they do know that human actions can nurture or harm the process. The same is true for innovation,  —a natural, chaotic, unpredictable process that is hard, perhaps even impossible, for well-meaning outsiders to foster. If we try to control or micromanage innovation, we risk squeezing out the very life forces that give rise to successful new ideas. Instead, we must focus on finding ways to nurture and accelerate the natural processes of innovation once they’ve begun organically".
It is common sight to see how many large organizations engaged in so called innovation, default to linear thinking with formal structures to define and control innovation. "What we need instead is to turn the forces of innovation loose—to create the right conditions for that reef ecosystem to grow on its own and take hold" - suggests Mario. 
It is common phrase in most presentations on innovation, that innovation should be nurtured both ways - top down and bottom up. In top down approach, we formulate strategies and give overall direction by highlighting areas needing most attention, appoint high profile leaders, and create appropriate environments and funding arrangements. Often what we neglected is the bottoms up approach - as innovation can come from anywhere, even the most unlikely of all places that were not even tapped, hence unexplored potential remained dormant.
The innovation hubs need to champion process of innovation themselves that encourages Socratic free thinking and "collision" of ideas. The inspiration to innovate often comes from minds that are motivated enough - often by an "acute" and at times "painful" desire to change the existing paradigm. We read inspiring stories of great innovators, many of whom describe their painful journey into blind unknown areas filled with insecurity and doubts and triggered by catalytic events in unfamiliar situations.
The example of Silicon Valley is often quoted as “the” innovation hub of 20th century. What led to its success was not a planned strategy but an organic growth like a coral reef. This growth was not only accelerated by the boom in IT industry but was fuelled by young people of diverse experience that brought struggle and motivation to excel, into their cubicles everyday!
If we can bring the same open minded cross fertilization of ideas from diverse situations, fuelling motivated teams, then innovation becomes a buzzing tangible theme, which is not bogged by stress of restrictions but an inspired blossoming of possibilities....!!
Cheers
Priyesh