Clashing expectations are what most consistently derail any team, and especially a culturally diverse team. So if you take the time to "define" the goal carefully upfront, you've addressed one of the most difficult and important parts of the innovative process.

Given the increasing diversity among customers and employees, organizations that attend to cultural intelligence are more successful.

Becoming a culturally intelligent innovators starts with something as basic as exercising self-control.

Natural light consistently fosters innovation, as does the avoidance of disturbances from noise and extreme temperatures.

Developing an explicit decision-making process upfront for how you will make that decision will help alleviate conflict and gridlock when you actually need to decide.

There are highly innovative companies in the U.S., Germany, and India. And there are many stories of companies that failed to innovate in all those countries. This is good news because it means, regardless of your cultural background or where your company is based, it can become innovative.

Nature is good for all of us. When we're exposed to trees and other natural settings - even within the city, it fosters creativity.