Innovation is more than just a buzzword—it’s critical for organizations looking to remain competitive. Creative, outside-the-box thinking is a catalyst for success, but building an environment that fosters that type of thought is easier said than done. If you’re looking to embed innovation into your culture, start by empowering your employees. Your workers are your deepest wells of innovative potential, and they need to know that leadership will take their ideas seriously. If they fear backlash for speaking up, there’s no avenue for growth. Similarly, investing in your employees is a great way to spur innovation. Offering opportunities for your people to upskill or reskill will help keep you competitive and on the cutting edge. It’s also important to provide feedback. Innovation isn’t like a lightning strike. It comes during the process of refinement and creative problem solving. Allowing opportunities for this to occur is critical if you’re looking to create a culture that values innovation.