The document discusses how to navigate organizational politics and culture when driving innovation. It provides strategies for understanding stakeholders, identifying potential allies and obstacles, and gaining support for new ideas. Case studies demonstrate how understanding political dynamics and leveraging influence helped generate buy-in for innovation initiatives and new capabilities within organizations. The key is preparing by understanding decision-makers, communicating the right messages, collaborating with others, and exercising patience and influence over time.

1. Crossing the Innovation Bridge Connecting Theory to Reality Malcolm De Leo

3. The Bridge to Innovation – Foundation for Change Successful Innovation is grounded understanding where your organization is lacking Process + The Needed Order - Opportunity Loss Organizational Structure + The Needed Order - Opportunity Loss Functional Execution + Innovation Reality - Driven by Tactics Theory + Great Impact - Low $$$ Value The Bridge to Reality You can have great Innovation Theory or Process… You can have the Innovative Structure or Executional Excellence… But without navigating organization politics or culture...The Impact is Diminished! Politics/Culture + Speed it Up - The Death of Change

5. Where Politics Play During Innovation Creation Understanding where the danger lies will help one successfully innovate Identify Innovation Create Proposal Plan Proposal Sell Proposal Implement Proposal Market Needs Competitive Intelligence Technology Strategy Develop Strategy Determine Breadth Identify Standards Legitimize Proposal Develop Case Develop Metrics Identify Stakeholders Align Allies Pre-Sell Stakeholders Gain Line Alignment Improve Proposal Sell Upward Clarify Plan Create Timelines Develop Resources Do the Work Identify Improvements