Leadership & Management

Leading Innovation Teams

Innovation teams need a different kind of leadership from operational teams: freedom to experiment within boundaries, tolerance of failure, fast learning and strong links to the core business. This course teaches leaders how to set up and lead innovation teams, manage innovation portfolios, run experiments and scale successful ideas.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Innovation units often struggle to deliver results the wider organisation adopts. You will learn how to lead innovation that produces real business impact.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Innovation case studies, design sprint practice, portfolio workshops and leadership reflection exercises.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain what makes innovation teams different
Set direction and boundaries for innovation
Lead experimentation and rapid learning
Manage an innovation portfolio
Connect innovation with the core business
Scale successful innovations

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Innovation and R&D managers
Product and digital leaders
Strategy and business development managers
Team leaders in creative functions
Intrapreneurs

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Innovation leadership
Experimentation
Portfolio management
Stakeholder alignment
Scaling ideas

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Innovation Leadership

09:00–10:08Types of innovation
10:08–11:00Leading creativity
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Leading creativity (continued)
11:45–12:53Psychological safety
12:53–14:00Exercise: innovation climate check

Day 2Experimentation

09:00–10:08Hypothesis-driven work
10:08–11:00Prototypes and tests
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Prototypes and tests (continued)
11:45–12:53Learning from failure
12:53–14:00Mini design sprint

Day 3Innovation Portfolio

09:00–10:08Horizons of innovation
10:08–11:00Stage-gate and metered funding
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Stage-gate and metered funding (continued)
11:45–12:53Kill and pivot decisions
12:53–14:00Workshop: portfolio review

Day 4Working with the Core

09:00–10:08Sponsorship and governance
10:08–11:00Transferring ideas to operations
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Transferring ideas to operations (continued)
11:45–12:53Avoiding the corporate immune system
12:53–14:00Case study

Day 5Scaling Impact

09:00–10:08Scaling successful pilots
10:08–11:00Measuring innovation
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Measuring innovation (continued)
11:45–12:53Building capability
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

Keep exploring

Your next horizon awaits.

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