Social Innovators

Paula Vicente is director of the Prisons’ Training Centre and this is what she had to say about the characteristics of a social innovator:

A social innovator is someone who is pro-active in finding innovative solutions that repond to social needs. The main characteristics they have are passion, creativity, initiative and persistance in adverstiy. They are clearly the characteristics that they bring to organisations. But to these characteristics I would also add the capacity to believe in people and in their value whatever their position in the hierarchy or their certified knowledge. To be able to mobilize people is the maiin challenge for a social innovator.

Contexts also very much determine the richness and speed of this growth in a "blue ocean", an ocean made up of unexplored opportunities and which provide the ideal environment for innovation and creation of value. Some critical aspects are a strong support from the top, delegation to lead the processes of creativity and innovation and investment in the active participation of all professional groups and at all levels of the hierarchy. The best environment for innovation is not having hierarchical pyramids, to have round tables made of diverse knowledge and experiences, made up of different perspectives that enrich the final product. A fundamental perspective is of the recipients and of other stakeholders. The administration of the future is focused on empowerment and sees its clients and stakeholders as true partners. Transparency, responsibility and active participation are key values.