Innovation Thrives Where Leaders Make Space for Learning and Messiness
Feb 16, 2026Many leaders say they want innovation.
Fewer are prepared for what innovation actually looks like in practice.
In our conversation with Dr. Kate Smith, one idea surfaced repeatedly: innovation requires leaders to tolerate ambiguity, imperfection, and learning in public.
That’s not always comfortable—but it’s essential.
Innovation Starts with Psychological Safety
People don’t bring forward bold ideas if they fear rejection or punishment.
Kate describes intentionally creating spaces where ideas can be shared, refined, or even declined without embarrassment. The goal isn’t to pursue every idea—it’s to signal that ideas are welcome.
That distinction changes everything. When people feel safe contributing, the quality of ideas improves. When they don’t, innovation becomes centralized and constrained.
Structures That Support Innovation
Innovation isn’t sustained through enthusiasm alone. It requires structure.
At Rio Salado, innovation is supported through:
- Dedicated forums for idea sharing
- Clear pathways for review and experimentation
- Small grants to test ideas
- Leadership modeling that normalizes iteration
These structures turn creativity into progress.
Learning from Outside Higher Education
One of Rio’s long-standing strengths is its openness to learning from other industries—healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, and beyond.
Kate reinforces that higher education can become insular if leaders only look inward. Innovation accelerates when institutions borrow ideas, adapt frameworks, and remain curious about how others solve similar problems.
A Leadership Reflection
Innovation isn’t about having the best ideas—it’s about creating the best conditions for ideas to emerge.
Ask yourself:
- Where do people feel free to experiment?
- How do we respond when ideas don’t work?
- What structures help learning turn into action?
When leaders make space for learning and messiness, innovation becomes part of the culture—not an occasional initiative.
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