Some teams struggle to produce good ideas. Others generate way too many. These "perpetual innovators" (a term coined by Carla Johnson) don't wait for the next team meeting or product launch to share their innovative thinking—they churn out ideas so frequently that leaders can barely keep up. This urge to innovate makes it difficult to identify which ideas are truly valuable and can hinder effective collaboration and process improvement. At the same time, leaders who are too quick to dismiss new approaches or fresh ideas risk diminishing the innovative spirit of their teams. How can leaders continue to spark innovation without getting burned out?

While it may help to establish clear channels for when and how team members can submit new ideas, leaders can look to feedback for a fast fix. By styling their feedback in a supportive but constructive manner, leaders can direct the creative juices of their teams in a way that leads to steady, incremental breakthroughs—the "everyday innovations" that often lead to transformation change.

Recognize and refine

Make sure others know that you genuinely appreciate their ideas and be sure to highlight the best parts of their suggestions. You might say, "Teresa, I see where you’re going with this concept—it’s bold and innovative. How could we adjust the messaging so that it aligns with our audience's values?" Set a time to follow up and signal your interest in exploring the idea further. This balances constructive critique with respect for the person's intent.

Ask and adjust

Nothing puts a chill on innovation like closed communication. Before shutting down an idea, get curious about the thinking that produced it. You could ask, "Jeremy, this is a really interesting concept. What inspired this design choice? How do you think it connects with the overall theme?" Asking open-ended questions fosters dialogue and encourages others to question and clarify their thought process without feeling criticized.

Position and prompt

Managers can help tame the never-ending flow of ideas by positioning a specific business problem, then prompting their team for creative solutions. "We've got to figure out a way to harness the powers of AI in our workspace without compromising our standards or productivity. How can we do that?" Focusing attention on a single issue that's tied to a business objective can ensure that innovative energies are well prioritized and organized.

We never know where our next breakthrough will come from. By using feedback as a tool to shape creative thinking, leaders can spark everyday innovation that draws out the best ideas from their teams. ‍

Watch or listen to my podcast with Innovation Architect Carla Johnson for more ways to rethink innovation.