In this short talk, the speaker presents findings from a study that examined the mismatch between the traits managers say they value in innovators and the traits they actually prefer in their favorite employees. Managers identified classic innovative characteristics—risk‑taking, challenging conventions, and pursuing bold goals—as essential for innovators. However, when asked to describe their favorite staff members, the same managers highlighted dependability, easygoing personalities, and strong teamwork. This reveals a paradox: while managers claim to want more innovation, they tend to favor employees who are low‑risk and non‑disruptive. The speaker argues that to truly cultivate innovators, managers must recognize that innovative behavior often makes employees uncomfortable and should not expect innovators to also be the easiest to manage.
