How to unleash the power of corporate innovation

Waterless 'drinking point' that has been dry for years monumentally stands outside Nyayo House in Nairobi in a picture taken on May 18, 2021. All water points that were installed in town have been destroyed by vandals, leaving pedestrians who were meant to benefit from the several drinking points thirsty. (Denish Ochieng, Standard)

Together with a group of friends, most of them in middle level to senior management roles, we recently discussed innovation.

Our discussion centred on what could be done to make corporates more innovative in the face of relentless disruptive forces. Should it be mandatory for every organisation to have a fully-fledged innovation department? Who should own and champion innovation projects in organisations? What skills and behaviours are required for one to be regarded an innovator? Should more techies, mavericks and iconoclasts be incorporated for innovation to happen?