identify five things that I can do to encourage innovation in my organization.  (I bet that wasn't what you were expecting was it???????)

Here are some ideas . . .

1.  Create a positive work culture, remembering it isn't just what you do, it is how you do it.

2.  Become a "bureaucracy buster" by improving processes and systems that discourage/stifle innovation or otherwise impede efficiency and effectiveness in the workplace.

3.  Work on what is important to the success of the organization by focusing on your mission and vision and allocating resources of the organization accordingly.  Help staff members see the connection between what they do everyday and the mission/vision of the organization. 

4.  Expand your expectations of your employees.  If you are looking at them as simply deliverers of technical/task work, that is probably what you are getting from them.  They can do much more to contribute to the management and leadership of your organization and to creating a culture of innovation (and all kinds of good things)  in the work place.  You may have to provide some basic "how to skills,"  such as how to do LEAN process improvement, run a meeting, or brainstorm ideas, but it will be well worth it to be on the receiving end of the great ideas that will come your way.

5.  Resist the tendency to manage everything and empower others.    You will be amazed at the results.

6.  Value teams; value the individual employees, too.

7.  Make problem solving, continuous improvement, performance measurement the norm in your day-to-day work.    Make sure that questions and curiosity about newer ways of doing things are evident everywhere.

8.  Communicate, communicate, communicate!

9.  Invite your community (residents, businesses, community groups, neighborhood associations)  to be part of the solution.  They have lots of questions about why you do things the way you do and why you do them at all.   

10.  Banish expressions like "but, we have always done it that way,"  "they will never go along with that,"  or "we tried that before and it didn't work." 

You can also look to organizations like ICMA and its Center for Management Strategies and the Alliance for Innovation for good ideas to help you with education and technical assistance on new and innovative approaches to local government management and service delivery .  Watch for webinars and educational programs from both organizations such as the "Summit on Leading Practices" on July 9 and 10 and "Reinventing Government" on July 25.  Become part of the CMS group and participate in the CMS blog on the Knowledge Network; both are good sources of information on a variety of topics for managers.

There are a few ideas to get you started. . .now, please share with all of us what is on your list for ways to encourage innovation in your organization???????  You can think of them when you take a break from that dip in the pool, outdoor grilling or other activity you are planning on this first day of summer!