How to Motivate Innovators

Innovation management involves motivating employees to contribute their ideas and solutions to an organization. Traditional methods include compensation via points systems or priceless awards, but these are extrinsic forms of motivation at the lowest rungs of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Peer recognition, however, can be an under-utilized and highly effective form of motivation, especially in organizations where intelligence is highly valued. Creating a leaderboard or developing a recognition program based on specific organizational values can promote an environment of innovation and shift the culture towards conversations that promote these values.