Who should lead innovation?

I've worked with innovation teams in f.m.c.g, in d.i.y even in finance and seen teams composed and led by almost every commercial discipline. I like the consumer focus that marketing brings, I admire the passion that R&D brings and increasingly I enjoy the sheer enthusiasm that sales bring to Customer Co-Innovation. Now that LinkedIn offer the ability to poll its members I've been able to ask others their views. Their answers Marketing closely followed by R&D - and with some surprising differences through the analysis


On the poll site I've had lots of great insights - many to do with the nature of leadership of any team - and of course I will welcome further comments here - it sounds like a cop out but my feeling is that its enthusiasm and desire for success rather than any particular background that wins.

(Double click the charts to increase the size!)