5 Simple Rituals to Build Team Innovation
Building team innovation doesn’t happen by luck.
Every leader we speak to wants their teams to innovate.
But telling a team to innovate is like asking someone to bake a cake without giving them any ingredients or a recipe. You might get a beautiful black forest gateau (yum) or a tuna patty cake (definitely not a cake).
For innovation to stick, leaders need to model clear systems, habits, and small, consistent actions, and teams need to buy into them.
Here are six simple rituals you can start next week to help your team collaborate better, think more creatively, and learn faster.
1. Run a “What Did We Learn?” Session
Time: 15 minutes every Monday
How it works: Each person shares one learning from the previous week.
Ground rule: No judgement, only curiosity.
Starting the week with reflection helps teams connect insights, spot patterns, and celebrate learning. It builds a habit of curiosity and reflective practice, the foundation of team innovation.
2. Create “Test & Learn” Time Blocks
Time: Two hours a week
Purpose: Dedicated space for trying new ideas or approaches
Rule: No regular meetings allowed
Protected time shows that experimentation is part of the job, not an afterthought. Even a small window each week helps team innovation grow steadily.
3. Hold Monthly “Experiment Reviews”
Focus: Share results — good, bad, and surprising
Discussion points: What worked? What didn’t? What’s next?
Reviewing experiments together helps teams learn collectively instead of in silos. These sessions also make innovation visible, not accidental.
4. Use “Learning Cards”
After each experiment: Write a short note on what worked and what didn’t
Visibility: Keep them open for everyone to read
Learning cards create a record of insights and failures. They help teams see progress over time and make learning part of everyday work.
5. Do Weekly “Assumption Checks”
Time: 30 minutes a week
How it works: Choose one assumption and test it
Assumption checks keep thinking sharp. They stop teams from falling back on “how we’ve always done it” and invite new perspectives — key to ongoing team innovation.
Bonus: Celebrate Failure
When: Once a quarter
What: Recognise the boldest or most insightful experiment
Why: To reward learning, not just success
Celebrating thoughtful risk-taking builds psychological safety. It reminds people that innovation depends on learning, not perfection.
The Key to Team Innovation
Teams that practise these rituals consistently become more creative and adaptable.
The goal isn’t to do everything at once. Instead, it’s to start small and stay consistent.
Pick one ritual.
Make it stick.
Then test, learn, repeat.
Want to Build Team Innovation in Your Organisation?
At The Brick Coach, we help organisations get change-ready.
If you’re ready to boost your team’s collaboration and innovation, get in touch.
