What Is an Innovation Manager – And How Do You Become a Great One?

Innovation managers help shape the culture and processes required for innovation to succeed in an organization by enabling others to become better innovators. To succeed in this role, they need to possess various skills such as communication, people skills, in-depth knowledge about the business, and understanding of technology. Being an average innovation manager isn't enough; they have to create a vision and strategy for innovation and lead others towards it, and have an insatiable curiosity to learn and mental toughness to overcome critiques and failures. Becoming an innovation manager isn't a straight path; self-education, learning by reading and observing, and having an experienced innovator as a mentor can help to master the necessary skills.