The Kirton Adaption-Innovation [KAI] inventory is a reliable and well validated instrument that measures your preferred way of thinking creatively, solving problems and creating change. These styles form a continuum from adaptive through to more innovative. The more adaptive style shows a preference for solving problems through incremental improvement within a system, whereas those who work in a more innovative way have a preference for restructuring the system in order to solve the problem or capitalise on opportunities. At Brainy we believe that EVERYONE thinks creatively and that we all do it a little differently. The KAI provides an understanding of your unique style between the adaption-innovation dimensions.
A very useful concept with the KAI is that it recognises and values that everybody contributes creatively and not just the more noticeable innovators. A crucial understanding is that being adaptive is neither good nor bad and that both are useful depending upon the situation. Styles are a little like the colours in a colour spectrum – no colour is better or worse than any other and each contributes uniquely. Organisations would therefore benefit from profiling their staff because they can create a shared understanding within the organisation of who would be most suited for tackling different problems. Staff with adaptive preferences are suited to solving different types of problems than those with more innovative preferences. Having an understanding of each person’s profile would also provide a predictable understanding of a team’s strengths and weaknesses when problem solving, working creatively or pursuing innovation.
It is worth noting that all styles along the adaption-innovation dimension have the ability to positively influence an organisation. Equally so each style has the ability to contribute to the failure of initiatives or the demise of organisations – they just do it in different ways and at different speeds!
The Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory can be used to foster understanding of different thinking styles, is a useful tool for the management of change in organisations and for the composition and management of effective task groups.
The KAI is currently available in a paper and pencil format. On online version is in development. Volume Discounts are available for groups over 5.
Consultation and feedback is available globally. Email thinking at brainy.com.au or phone 1300 272469 [1300 Brainy]
