Unlocking Innovation: Encouraging Employees to Think Outside the Box

 

May 9, 2025
9 min read

Innovation is for Everyone

Innovation isn’t reserved for the C-suite anymore—it’s relevant across the board. But let’s be honest: waiting for a lightbulb moment isn’t a reliable plan. Without some structure, even good ideas can fade out, and teams may stay stuck in “get-it-done” mode. That’s where design thinking can help. Think of it as a recipe for creativity—a user-focused, step-by-step method that brings ideas to life.

Connect with us to see how we might help

Chances are we have a program to fit your needs.

Contact Us

Why Execution Alone May Not Be Enough

Execution is important—no question. But when it’s the sole focus, long-term growth can be harder to achieve. According to AlixPartners’ Disruption Index 2025, 41% of executives say their companies are too slow to adapt1 —a real challenge in today’s fast-moving markets.

Fostering innovation can help organizations become more adaptable and responsive to change. Still, only 6% of organizations are satisfied and don’t plan to change their workplace strategy, according to Deloitte.2 This suggests a gap in innovation culture—and highlights an opportunity for more training and support.

Bridging the Innovation Gap

Coming up with good ideas is tough—but turning them into results can be even tougher. Many businesses find it challenging to translate creativity into practical, scalable solutions. Some common hurdles include:

  • Lack of formal training: Without exposure to structured innovation methods, employees may find it hard to move  ideas forward confidently.

  • Over-prioritizing efficiency: When speed and productivity dominate, creativity can unintentionally take a back seat.

  • Missing frameworks: Without a process like design thinking, even promising ideas may never be fully explored.

Addressing these challenges can help leaders bridge the gap between ideation and implementation. Design thinking offers a practical approach for doing just that.

Design Thinking: Innovation’s Secret Sauce

Design thinking is a structured yet flexible method for solving problems with a creative, user-first mindset. It encourages curiosity, empathy, and iteration—and it can be adapted across a wide range of business contexts.

Organizations using design thinking often report benefits such as:

  • Identifying unmet customer needs through empathy-driven research

  • Testing ideas quickly and affordably

  • Encouraging collaboration and ongoing improvement

In fact, 71% of respondents in a recent Voltage Control study agreed that design thinking helped shift their work culture.3

 

Programs like the Keller Innovation Certificate make design thinking actionable by teaching employees how to apply it in real-world scenarios. Leadership programs that incorporate design thinking have also been linked to a 12% improvement in employee retention, according to a study by DDI.4

Innovation as a Workforce Skill

Supporting innovation at all levels can lead to meaningful benefits. While results may vary, potential outcomes include:

  • Stronger problem-solving: Employees trained in innovation methods may feel more confident addressing complex issues.

  • Higher engagement: When team members see their ideas explored or implemented, it can increase motivation and buy-in.

  • Improved adaptability: Companies that make space for innovation may be better prepared for changing market conditions.

Design thinking isn’t limited to product design—it’s a mindset that can elevate areas from operations to customer experience. As adaptability becomes increasingly critical, it’s worth noting that 71% of executives across 90 countries cited it as the top leadership quality, according to McKinsey & Company’s State of AI 2023 report.5

Learning from Leaders in Innovation

Some of the world’s most well-known brands have embraced design thinking to stay ahead:

  • Airbnb redefined lodging with personalized, flexible options.

  • Netflix revolutionized how we consume content through on-demand streaming and data-driven personalization.

  • Uber modernized transportation with real-time, tech-enabled ride-hailing.

  • Apple created a seamless product ecosystem that emphasizes simplicity and integration.

  • Spotify transformed music discovery and listening with a user-friendly, personalized experience.

Other companies—like Nike, Starbucks, Bank of America, Nordstrom, GE Healthcare, and Oral-B—have also applied design thinking to stay close to customer needs and drive innovation.

The Bottom Line

Innovation doesn’t have to be a gamble. With the right mindset and tools—like design thinking—organizations can build a culture where curiosity and experimentation thrive. And with adaptability topping the list of key leadership qualities, empowering employees with innovation skills isn’t just a bonus—it’s a smart move.

Download the Guide—Fuel Your Innovation Journey

Ready to transform your workforce into a hub of innovation? Download our infographic to explore how structured innovation training can help your company stay competitive and forward-thinking. Let’s empower your employees to think differently starting today.

Get the Guide

Innovation is widely seen as essential in business—not just for leadership, but across all levels of an organization. Yet innovation doesn’t always happen spontaneously. Without a structured approach, ideas can easily stall, teams may focus solely on execution, and opportunities for growth might go unnoticed. One method increasingly used to encourage innovation is design thinking: a structured, user-centric approach to problem-solving. This framework can help organizations nurture creativity and develop solutions that better meet user needs.

1Disruption Index 2025, Alix Partners (2025)

2Global Human Capital Trends 2023, Deloitte (2023)

35 Steps of the Design Thinking Process: A Step-by-Step Guide, Voltage Control (August 2023)

4Total Economic Impact Study, DDI (October 2024)

5The State of AI in 2023, McKinsey and Co (2023)

Related Content