Innovation role – Providing novelty, freshness and energy for new ideas and a sense of new possibilities
Mindset – Creativity
Igniter’s strengths:
- The first to come up with new ideas
- Good at seeking new knowledge outside their current areas of interest
- Not afraid of challenging their own thinking as well as that of other people
- Original thinkers
- Can see connections between different and unrelated ideas
- Good at creating a culture where people feel free to contribute their ideas
- Skilled at motivating and inspiring others
The swirling image illustrates the mindset of Creativity. The swirl moves backwards and forwards. It is open ended and explorative.
Igniter’s challenges
Igniters love to come up with new ideas. Lots of them. But as with all strengths, there can be challenges.
- They can become distracted with too many ideas that take them into multiple directions. This can dilute their energy and effectiveness.
- They can get attached to their own ideas and not think through whether they are feasible.
- They can enjoy jumping into action and implementation too quickly.
- They can generate lots of ideas and not see them through into fruition.
The challenge for Igniters is to harness their creative energy and work with other styles that could help bring their ideas to life. It is also helpful if they learn to stand back from their ideas to let them breathe before moving into action or, if they are less action-orientated, to choose and stick with an idea and start to think through how to make it work.
HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH IGNITERS
Depending on the combination of ‘I’s on someone’s profile, here are a few do’s and don’ts that will help you communicate more effectively with Igniters.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| Encourage them to talk about lots of different ideas, concepts and solutions | Be dismissive of their ideas or say they cannot work; be positive |
| Build on their ideas; say, ‘Yes, and …’, rather than ‘Yes, but …’ | Deconstruct their ideas too quickly; let their ideas have room to breathe |
| Involve them in brainstorming activities and workshops that will excite their mind and thinking | Involve them in detailed project planning and monitoring of activities and tasks |
| Talk about possibilities and opportunities to solve problems and challenges | Ask them to fulfil routine work that has little variety |