Cross-Pollinate to Spark Innovation - A Quick Tip

by Jon Grannis, Guest Contributor - Kari Heistad

Flowers are part of a delicate and intricately balanced ecosystem relying upon symbiotic relationships with pollinator animals to survive and evolve.

Only a small amount of pollination occurs through self-pollination. Most flowers rely on animals, such as hummingbirds, bees, and bats, to communicate between the flowers, facilitate growth, share genetics, and create new variations. These pollinators have the essential role of helping different plants, plant strains, and even plant species to interact successfully.

Similarly, within companies and teams, employees have the important role of sharing ideas between groups, departments, and teams.

This “cross-pollination” of ideas helps to unlock the inherent creativity and innovation that lies within a company, but may need a spark from another source to bring it to life.

 
Discussion Questions:

1. As a team, do we openly share ideas and cross pollinate? Why or why not?
2. Sharing ideas requires trust and respect. How can we improve the trust and respect on our team so that we can be more open about ideas?
3. Are there other people or departments that could provide a creative spark of innovation or insight that would help a current project?
4. How can our team create opportunities for interactions and the cross-pollination of ideas that will help us grow and succeed?