Instruments (EN)

⚒⚒ | ＄ | ⏲⏲⏲ | The “diversity hackathon” is a compressed version of the Design Sprint. The one-day workshop aims to develop innovative solutions to increase inclusion regarding various diversity aspects using creative techniques and human-centered design. Participants are sensitized to diversity aspects and are given the opportunity to expand their networks.

⚒ | ＄ | ⏲ | The ideas board serves as an open forum for recording spontaneous ideas, making suggestions for change, and initiating constructive dialogue. Employees who tend to hold back in meetings due to time constraints or uncertainty have an additional opportunity to provide input and express their opinions freely. As a result, this variety will eventually lead to entirely new innovation plans and programs.

⚒⚒⚒ | ＄＄ | ⏲⏲⏲ | An internal ideas competition can increase employee engagement and lead to innovative solutions to problems of all kinds, provided that a wide range of diversity groups is reached and the competition is communicated in a motivating way. Following up on the most promising ideas after the competition and putting them into action is crucial to achieving a sustainable positive effect.

⚒ | ＄ | ⏲ | Henri Lipmanowicz and Keith McCandless use the term “liberating structures” to summarize 33 “microstructures” that enable a high degree of participation in innovation processes. These focus on active collaboration in teams and organizations. Liberating structures helps managers and staff in the field of research & development to create an inclusive and creative working environment.

⚒ | ＄ | ⏲ | “Psychological safety” allows members of an innovation team to work and learn without discomfort. This is an essential pre-condition for personal growth and outstanding performance. A “psychologically safe” working environment prevents harmful group dynamics such as “groupthink” from arising and thus leads to better decisions and a broader range of ideas.

⚒⚒ | ＄＄ | ⏲⏲ | Many group activities, such as professionally led outdoor training or an “escape room”, involve tricky tasks that require shared coordination, skill, cooperation, and creative thinking. Such activities often get all team members to contribute with their strengths and usually benefit from their diversity.

⚒ | ＄ | ⏲ | Using the “Team Effectiveness Discussion Guide”, innovation teams can identify which factors are particularly relevant for their collaboration and which factors may even harm it. All team members have equal opportunities to express their opinions. With the insights gained from the discussion, specific measures can be introduced to increase the quality and effectiveness of team collaboration.

⚒⚒ | ＄ | ⏲⏲ | A thinktank on diversity in innovation drives change processes from within the organization. Integrating diversity and innovation into existing processes and workflows, the organization has a sustainable and forward-looking way of learning (“triple-loop learning”) and promotes an inclusive and innovative corporate culture. Moreover, the thinktank increases the visibility of different diversity groups in the company.