[lhnz]

The headline is implicitly related to the article, but at no point is that question explicitly posed.

However I think it's a good point so I'll bite.

There are many reasons for Agile and Lean and there are also differing interpretations for what it means. However, generally it does mean continuous improvement as opposed to blue skies type innovation. Usually this is a good idea since it removes product development risks. A lot of people aren't very good at getting things done, aren't that good at coming up with creative ideas, and given too much lee-way will hide inside the red tape you've created for them; for most companies it's more important to get something out than it is to innovate. Similarly this is the reason for closed-allocation policies, etc.

Of course, if you are in the top 20% then you possibly could be ultra innovative, creative and productive in a less restrictive environment...

Not that agile or lean are about process of course, but the interpretation by most companies is very different from the original manifestos.