We have all had those colleagues who are just not amenable to innovation.  Some people seem to have a “that’s the way we’ve always done it” attitude that can stagnate a business.  Still, good leadership finds a way to work through issues. So how can you take the lead on new ideas, particularly in the face of opposition?

Before you decide to brush up your resume and find a new place to work with more flexible management, consider what you can bring to the table.  Remember, you can’t change mentality overnight.  What you can do, though, is come in with cold, hard facts.  Do you have proof that this particular machinery upgrade will generate more revenue or slash operating costs?  How does the competition in your industry handle this particular process?  The more concrete answers you have, the easier it is to persuade someone to invest in innovation.

Stay on top of trends in your industry.  At some point every industry experiences a serious dust up.  Consider the cable communications companies who saw their old business model of copper trunk cables destroyed with the emergence of wireless technology.  Each industry goes through those experiences from time to time, and staying on top of trends so that you can point out to management where the company needs to become more nimble will sway higher leadership to listen to your propositions.

Consider bringing in a partner to help examine areas where new ideas would pay off.  For example, is there a more efficient heater or mixer to help with production costs, reduce waste and save money?  The concept of continuous improvement is not a hard sell once leadership can see how much it benefits the bottom line!  Why not work with Komax to see how you can take advantage of innovations in your field?  Leading on new ideas is a team effort.