Both are opposite. Both are needed. Consistent discipline is about process improvement through six sigma, quality circle etc. Six Sigma loves business rules and follows them for sustainable results.
Innovation on other hand is free flow of ideas. It does not understand rule or hierarchy. It requires consistent flow of ideas and executions.
Both are opposite in some sense. One requires structure, other requires free flow. Let’s analysis them in 2*2 matrix in terms of S curve of organization
1. Low Discipline – High innovation: It happen with start-up. No rules. Just innovation. No comfort zone. No power center. Aggression and passion drive people for more. Less focus on money and cost. It is birth of a S curve. Top line is god here.
2. High discipline – Low innovation: Here, organization is living for survival and perfection. It happens in middle part of S curve. Company becomes process focused. Cost optimization and system modification become part of life. Bottom line delivers sustainable profit. Within rules and framework, many organizations loose direction in SOP, process and standardization.
Discipline without direction creates comfort zone. Finding direction is most difficult thing.
3. Low Discipline –Low innovation: It happens when company has come at last leg of S curve. Dying product and dying motivation ensure dead end. It mainly happen in 2 cases – 1) when organization has grown too big, 2) Management is too busy in power struggle. Organization dies from psychological resistance.
4.. High Discipline – High innovation: Apple is ideal case. Delivering products with quality. Innovating beyond boundaries and applying ideas. High discipline and high innovation sustenance is important. It’s ideal balance. Every organization desire but very few succeed. Only good quality and innovation driver may help in overcoming emotional barrier.In this phase , organization learn to grow while balancing system , processes with innovation.
Where is your organization in this balance. ?
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