You know that cartoon moment when a character gets a brilliant idea and a lightbulb appears over their head? That’s how we often think about innovation: sudden flashes of genius that change everything.

But here’s what I’ve been thinking about lately: What good is a lightbulb without electricity?

Sure, we all love those “aha!” moments. They’re exciting and Instagram-worthy. But after years of working with different teams and organizations, I’ve noticed something: The places that consistently innovate aren’t just good at coming up with ideas. They’re masters at creating the environment where those ideas can come to life.

When Bright Ideas Burn Out

I once worked with a tech startup that held amazing brainstorming sessions. Seriously, the ideas that came out of those rooms were mind-blowing. Post-its everywhere, energy through the roof. But six months later, almost none of those brilliant concepts had passed the whiteboard stage.

The problem wasn’t a lack of good ideas. They had no system to nurture those ideas, no reliable power source to keep the bulbs lit.

Does this sound familiar? Maybe you’ve experienced it, too: the excitement of innovation sessions that lead nowhere and the frustration of watching great concepts die on the vine.

Becoming the Power Plant

So what does it mean to “provide electricity” for innovation? It’s about building the infrastructure that turns occasional sparks into consistent light.

For starters, it means creating a place where people feel safe to experiment. I remember chatting with an engineer at Google who told me, “The best thing my manager ever said to me was ‘I want to see you fail at something difficult this quarter.'” That provides power, making it clear that thoughtful risk-taking is not only allowed but encouraged.

It’s also about creating time and space for new ideas to develop. A friend works at a company that gives everyone “tinkering time” each week—no deliverables, no metrics, just space to explore. They’re not just hoping for innovation; they’re powering it.

What This Looks Like in Real Life

Take 3M, for instance. We all know about their famous “15% time” policy, which gave us Post-it notes. But what’s less discussed is how they built an entire ecosystem around that time—networks that connect problem-solvers across departments, funding mechanisms for early-stage ideas, and clear pathways to take concepts from prototype to product.

They didn’t just say, “Hey, have some free time to innovate!” They built the power grid that makes innovation possible daily, year after year.

Compare that with companies that chase innovation through one-off hackathons or idea contests but never change their day-to-day operations. It’s like installing fancy light fixtures in a building with faulty wiring.

Flipping the Switch in Your Organization

So how do you start generating this innovative electricity in your team?

Start small. Create a regular check-in where people can share half-baked ideas without fear of criticism. Make it clear that “That’s not how we do things” is a banned phrase.

Be the first to talk openly about your own failed experiments. Nothing kills innovation faster than the sense that mistakes are career-limiting moves.

Connect people who wouldn’t usually work together. Some of the best ideas come from collisions between different perspectives.

Perhaps most importantly, protect your team’s capacity. Innovation doesn’t happen when everyone runs at 110%, just keeping the lights on. You need some slack in the system for new thinking to emerge.

The Real Innovation Superpower

Look, coming up with great ideas is essential. But the real innovation superpower isn’t ideation; it’s implementation. It’s creating a consistent energy source that turns occasional brilliant flashes into sustainable light.
So, next time you think about innovation in your team or organization, ask yourself: “Am I just trying to build better lightbulbs, or am I also building a reliable power plant?”

Things start to shine when you figure out how to keep the electricity flowing.

What do you think? Are you focusing too much on the lightbulbs and not enough on the power source in your organization? I’d love to hear about your experiences.

Bottom line: Great innovation is more than just bright ideas; it’s a culture that drives it every day.