07315u.comFundraisingInnovationNegotiationPrivacyContact UsWays to Boost Innovation by Understanding NeuroscienceJanuary 19, 2015 6:34 pm ⋅ Roman     ⋅  FeaturedInnovation is a prized asset in any organisation, but the challenge of how to develop a culture of creativity is an old and complex one.With extra attention on neuroscience since brain imaging technology became more widely available, we are learning more about how the brain works. How can that information be combined with what we already know about innovation and how can it be applied on the ground in organisations?Our brains need encouragement to createSome argue, based on the neuroscience, that we are not naturally innovators and our ability to create depends on the stimulation provided.The old adage that “necessity is the mother of invention” holds true in the sense that, whenever humans have needed to innovate, we seem to come up with something. This can be applied to many of the basics of human existence such as the need to find water, cook food, and to defend ourselves. That’s perhaps why we have grown to dominate the planet.In most organisations our challenge to innovate is not usually life-threatening! We have to encourage our brains to be creative by providing the right stimuli – but not overdoing it and, in the process, generating excessive stress.In fact, we are generally most comfortable when we are NOT creating – we like things just as they are. The fact that we are still alive and kicking means we have been doing something right! Stepping outside of this can create feelings of discomfort and stress for many people.Finding the BalanceWe essentially need to find the right balance. Resistance to change, which can create negative responses, needs to be balanced with the positive feelings of discovery and achievement, generated largely by the neurotransmitter dopamine in the reward centres of our brain.If we try to force the situation, we are in danger of creating excessive stress and threat, which causes a retreat to habitual behavior. In this mindset, innovation is almost impossible.However, creating an environment of absolute comfort is also not conducive to creativity.How do we find the “sweet spot” where our people are challenged to innovate but not threatened? Where the will to achieve something is more powerful than the resistance to change? Where we are at ease with the making the new connections in our brain that lead to new ideas?How to Boost Innovation1. Practice diversityDiversity of people, experiences, and activities in the workplace will help create the sparks and moments of insight. By doing this people make new connections that lead to fresh, new ideas, while a culture of uniformity will stunt the process. In many cases the new ideas will hit dead ends, but it’s the one nugget of an idea in the one hundred generated that can change the course of an organisation; this can only happen if enough ideas are gen