Most of the time, people who embrace innovation is focus on the structural and cultural context of the company and how supports a strategy of innovation. For instance, many companies choose to take the team responsible for building a disruptive innovation and locate them elsewhere (It’s often referred to as the “skunk-works†group.)
 But we should go back a step – are we hiring people who embrace innovation? When we interview candidates are we looking for risk takers and entrepreneurs, people who thrive on a diverse set of experiences and interests? Or are we looking for people who are focused on their area of competence, attended top schools in that area and done very well and have some experience in that arena.
As an executive coach and consultant, I increasingly am encouraging executives to ask whether they’re looking for people who could become future leaders or not. If they are seeking the former, they need to investigate the person’s diversity of interests, experience with creativity and respect for innovation. Standard job competencies like teamwork and collaboration, make them good workers – but may not be indicators of leadership skills which will encourage risk taking,
All too often, executives tell me they are considering merging or acquiring another firm in order to internalize more innovative energies. While inorganic approaches are good, better still is to do so organically. How do you recruit for your innovation strategy? Share some of your best practices.