The Innovation Engine: Why Middle Managers Are Crucial for Transformation Success

Posted by Cris Beswick
On 30/07/2025

The key to sustainable change lies not at the top or bottom, but in the middle. Middle managers—often dismissed as the 'frozen middle'—are actually positioned to be powerful innovation accelerators when properly enabled

Beyond Innovation Theater: Building a True Culture For Innovation

Posted by Cris Beswick
On 02/07/2025

Despite executives recognizing innovation as a top growth driver, 94% say their companies’ innovation performance falls short. Often the problem centers on culture—an abstract concept relegated behind tangible, process‑oriented goals.

Why Leadership Teams Fail to Drive Innovation: The Cultural Challenge

Posted by Cris Beswick
On 12/12/2024

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, a leadership team’s ability to foster innovation often determines an organisation’s success or failure. Yet, the stark reality is that many senior teams urgently need help creating the cultural conditions necessary for innovation to flourish. Based on extensive work worldwide with CEOs and senior executives, my experience reinforces that […]

The core principles of Leading FOR Innovation

Posted by Cris Beswick
On 28/03/2024

It’s no secret that in today’s dynamic business landscape, for some, innovation is still just a buzzword – but for others, it’s the lifeblood of their organisation and an antidote to remaining relevant. At the helm of this radical evolution stand leaders who are pioneers, visionaries, and, most importantly, adept at catalysing novel ideas into […]

The Critical Role of Culture for Innovation

Posted by Cris Beswick
On 20/06/2023

Organisational culture plays an essential role in fostering successful innovation, yet it is often overlooked or discounted by those responsible for driving that growth, i.e. the executive team. But to drive tangible change and propel a business forward, there needs to be a conscious effort put into curating the leadership style of each internal group […]

Attention all Leaders – You Need to Create Psychological Safety if You Want Your People to Innovate

Posted by Cris Beswick
On 06/06/2023

As a leader, you need your people to perform at their best if innovation is going to happen. But as essential players in that process, people need psychological safety, i.e. when they feel they can comfortably express ideas and opinions without fear of repercussions or judgement. If you want your organisation to be able to […]

Why Mutual Obligation is the key to Leading FOR Innovation

Posted by Cris Beswick
On 14/03/2023

When I talk about leadership in the context of innovation, I’m always particular about using the phrase ‘leading FOR innovation’ not ‘innovation leadership’ because building a culture for innovation isn’t about leaders becoming innovators; it’s about leaders building a system and environment where innovation can thrive. In ‘Innovation is a Team Sport’, I unpacked my […]

Innovation is a Team Sport

Posted by Cris Beswick
On 01/03/2023

At OUTCOME, we believe innovation is a system game, meaning it’s a team sport. The challenge is that many organisations have lost sight of the true definition of a team. As defined by Professor Leigh Thompson of the Kellogg School of Management, “a team is a group of people who are interdependent with respect to […]

Managers drive innovation from the heart.

Posted by Cris Beswick
On 15/09/2022

This is a piece about and for managers. They could be line managers, middle managers, or team leaders; in a way, the title is immaterial. But in any organisation, these individuals sit at its heart, interpreting the vision, delivering the strategy, and ensuring that the engine runs smoothly, and the business stays on track. You […]

Five ways to drive innovation from the centre

Posted by Cris Beswick
On 27/07/2022

Innovation has the potential to thrive in every organisation, no matter how large or small. So why are 55% of businesses not seen as active in innovation? The answer may lie with your middle managers, says Cris Beswick, author and co-founder of OUTCOME. Here’s how you can create the right conditions to enable your people […]

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