Analysis Of Intellectual Stimulation: The Food Business

Intellectual Stimulation as posited by Hall et al. (2008) describes leaders who encourage innovation and creativity through challenging the normal beliefs or views of a group. Leaders with intellectual stimulation promote critical thinking and problem solving to make the organization better. I seek to challenge the status quo from time to time. Largely, I don’t think I have been able to move my team in this regard. The food business thrives on taste which is also a function of several factors within the customer’s control. Creativity is allowed only to the extent that it adds value to our business by promoting customer loyalty. There are clear sanctions for creativity that results in extra costs as well rewards for creativity that adds value.
Due to the risk-averse nature of many of my subordinates they prefer to play it safe. I have not been able to figure out the right balance between encouraging creativity and maintaining customer loyalty.