Culturally intelligent innovation begins with changing our impulse from Why can't you see it like I do? to Help me see what I might be missing!
Trust is consistently seen as a make or break component of innovation - particularly because the freedom to fail is an important part of innovation.
Even an organization that doesn't do much work internationally will benefit from a culturally intelligent strategy to innovation. Working across different generations, business units, regions, and functions are all factors that can also influence the innovation process.
What really makes the difference in innovation is whether the corporate culture is paying attention to innovation.
The very ability to empathize with a user requires that I have an understanding of that user's value and needs. This is what leads to many product fails. The individuals developing the innovation don't actually use it.
Natural light consistently fosters innovation, as does the avoidance of disturbances from noise and extreme temperatures.