Traits of great corporate innovation champions

Unless you are in the top management, it's highly likely your innovation project will need a champion or sponsor. Here are the qualities you should be looking for:

• respected throughout the organisation,
• mention of their name opens doors and calendars,
• can get you in the right decision arena, and
• believe in you and your idea.

Notice how "innovation expert" isn't anywhere on the list? It's the innovators job to innovate. Champion is there to help you get unstuck once your idea—inevitably—runs into the red tape.

And in case you are top management, remember above traits when selecting champions for your key strategic initiatives.