Leadership in innovation does not require being a multidisciplinary specialist; it does, however, require a knowledge base and the skills and competencies to promote innovation — independent thinking, maturity, diplomacy and the ability to accept criticism, among others. Innovators also have the opportunity to provide business leadership; successful innovators have the ability to take an idea and conceptualize it in a variety of ways, until it makes sense. This talent can be used to search out opportunities disregarded by the rank and file.