The complexity of innovative projects can sometimes overwhelm even the most skilled teams, for several reasons.

Firstly, resistance to change can be a significant obstacle: many of us are used to established methods and may be uncomfortable in the uncertain environments typical of innovative projects.

At the heart of many organisations is a deeper problem that hinders transformation: the product/function-based organisational structure. This structure works well in well-defined contexts, where the objective is to maximise the delivery of a product or service, but transformational projects require a return to a more flexible and adaptive approach.

In order to meet this need, we need to ensure that, in addition to technical skills, we have three power skills in our innovation team that help us perform better under conditions of uncertainty and when in doubt, make us able to explore new territories and generate new opportunities and insights.

Which ones? Let's find out together:

1. Divergent thinking, i.e. the ability to think outside established patterns and generate creative and original ideas, see non-obvious connections, explore various possibilities, and find unique solutions to complex problems.

2. Convergent action, which is essential to focus on viable ideas and turn them into tangible results, a skill that entails not only the ability to critically analyse and evaluate ideas, identify the most promising ones and turn them into concrete actions, but, above all, avoid getting trapped in an endless ideation phase without ever taking action.

Innovation requires not only brilliant ideas and the ability to execute them, but above all the ability to communicate these ideas effectively.

3.Effective communication, i.e. the ability to present ideas clearly, convincingly and motivatingly, both within the team and to external stakeholders, including investors, customers or company management. This is a crucial skill to gain the support, resources and approval needed to drive an innovative project forward, to build a shared vision within the team and to align efforts towards common goals.

Here are our power skills: divergent thinking that fuels the imagination, convergent action that catalyses results, and effective communication that connects and inspires: innovators will have a trio of aces in their toolbox, ready to turn bold visions into tangible realities.