There’s lots of literature on the diffusion of innovation (nerd-speak for how innovation spreads) but most of it is devoted to how to get customers to innovate.

Never mind customers, how do you get your bosses or co-workers to innovate, or even your own direct reports, when they are reluctant to do so?

There is quite a lot on the net that would suggest that this is possible and many blogs will tell you how, but domestication of an ass to turn him into a donkey is not that easy.

The problem is that culture can cause inertia and if the culture isn’t supportive of innovation then you had better forget trying to get your boss to be innovative. Instead of wasting time and being frustrated, move on and find somewhere that values innovation.