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INNOVATION SPOTLIGHT
Alive at work Getting to grips with the human side of innovation
The marine sector is emerging out of lockdown amid massive changes in working practices, disruption to the maritime trade and the safety of seamen and women. There has naturally been a heightened emphasis on digitalisation to help revolutionise the sector, enable it to respond to the demands of the modern age and be safer and more resilient. However, participants would do well to take a step back occasionally and consider some of the human behavioural implications of the changes facing the industry and how they might better understand those. Madeline Bailey, founder of independent consultancy Ballantyne, explores some ideas from her work with Prof. Dan Cable, Professor of Organisational Psychology at London Business School and his research in behavioural science. Leaders will often ask how they can help their people to effectively respond to change, when in fact, human beings are uniquely receptive to change. We are the only species that can imagine future worlds and innovate. For example, as a species, human beings were not meant to fly. All other animals without wings simply walk around. Yet it is intriguing that humans want to fly higher and faster than any bird. Of course, some of the changes we make are not effective. So, we have this enormous ability to make an impact, but, we have to be wary about how we use it. The Marine Insurer P&I Special Edition | July 2020
All parties in the marine sector are constantly looking how to create value. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to bring challenges to the sector and will undoubtedly have a lasting impact. In the midst of all of this companies are having to find new and more innovative ways to create value, to make an impact, increase customer ‘share of wallet’ and stay relevant. It seems that to stay relevant an organisation has to be not only innovative but also be prepared to destablise itself. That is not normal for many people in our industry. It is not the way we cut our teeth. However, to stay relevant requires a process of continuous change. Here are a few ideas to help you get there.
