MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Calls for innovation from U.S. military leaders reverberate throughout the ranks. In an organizational culture that reinforces self-restraint, rewards groupthink and treats white space as wasted space, these leaders have unrealistic expectations of their military personnel.
This Maxwell Paper 74 by Col. Michelle E. Ewy is an examination of the requirements for innovation that along with recent neuroscience and organizational psychology research provides valuable insight into how the checklist mentality of the military inhibits creativity and innovation.
Recommendations to counter these barriers include recruiting creative personalities, training in divergent thinking, providing time for incubation and promoting innovative leaders. Adoption of these recommendations will embolden military members to be more creative and will cultivate a culture that champions innovation.
Download publications at http://www.airuniversity.af.mil/AUPress/. Order publications by e-mailing aupress@us.af.mil or calling 334-953-2773 (DSN 493). Publications are also available at the Air University Press Bookstore, 600 Chennault Circle, Building 1405 (Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center), Maxwell AFB.