Leading Innovation and Innovation Leadership

There are many different concepts of innovation. Many wonder whether it is a modern life-style or a recent scientific approach that has been discussed at the level of governments, but little know that innovation is part of the personality of UAE nationals and we grew up in the application of innovation since the Union of the United Arab Emirates, when the Late Father, HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Father Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, held the meeting of Samih in Sidira in 1968 to agree on a new project, that did not happen previously, in the implementation of what they planned, which is the Union.

The direct application of this innovative thought was a great role to improve and develop this project to include the other emirates of the Coast and to announce the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971.

Since that date, innovation has become part of our daily lives. We have emerged from the framework of dependence into the orbit of independence within a clear set of objectives and strategies that reflect the evolution of the concept of innovation over time.

This is where the concept of leadership innovation crystallizes. The leader makes the decision to change or not, to look at the necessary studies and the extent of the desired change, its size and impact, and to develop strategies to achieve the desired goals. As well as to follow-up and link incentives to programs such as Sheikh Khalifa's program of government excellence, which assesses the reach of the authorities to achieve the objectives of the strategy of innovative thinking leadership.

The vision of the UAE is crystallized as an innovative thinking to focus on the objectives of the National Agenda for Innovation and for the efforts of all authorities to achieve the vision of our country.

The Innovation Leadership does not necessarily mean the invention or development of innovation. Rather, it may be the biggest role in creating the path leading to it, overcoming the difficulties to reach it, and sharing with the concerned heads, subordinates and partners in a clear framework for its follow-up and achievment. So we all share to reach government's innovation that the leadership of our beloved country wants.

The leader of the innovation is reflected in the breadth of his knowledge, his experience in the field, his deep culture, his high communication skills, the ability to look at the broader picture within the framework of achieving the goals without distracting the team, enhancing the team's understanding of the leader and instilling confidence in the team. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the team that supports the innovation leader and invest the time and effort necessary to carry the members of this team the attributes of innovative thinking and the ability to think design and draw the clients map and other tools of innovation that move the idea from the papers to practicality.

Harvard Business Review conducted a study on "10 qualities of the innovation leader" that included a clear strategic vision, customer focus, an environment of mutual trust, an environment that supports ideas from their beginnings to transfer them to study and practice, and courage to make the best decision for the enterprise and client, as well as the skill of persuasion, the ingenuity in finding solutions and results for higher goals than expected, and emphasizing the importance of speed, time, clarity and honesty in their communication with stakeholders, inspiration and motivation through application.

To complete the innovation leadership journey, it is very important to ensure that it is applied, impact measuredm and adjust its course or stop it if necessary. Innovation may not achieve the desired goal or its impact may be smaller or larger than the studies expected, or it may cost more than what was planned. There are many examples of innovations that have been halted or modified after launching to global governments in key areas such as education, energy and health. So the innovative leader must identify and conduct the necessary in a timely manner.

Innovation is an integral part of the life and work system and is closely linked to mastery, dedication and perseverance, with the importance of developing the leader's skills to include innovative thinking, creating a supportive environment, promoting the concept of innovation and its areas of application and the need to disseminate knowledge related to innovation and investment outcomes in institutional innovation for all functional segments in order to contribute to the achievement of the aspirations of our leadership.

Anwaar Mohammed Alshimmari

Ministry of Infrastructure Development