In life and in business, every change, innovation or reflection starts with an idea. When employees have both the courage and encouragement to come forward with a truly new, game-changing idea, they can break our initial way of thinking.
As we all seek competitive advantages in our industry, new ideas and approaches are there for the taking. All the leadership has to do is nurture a culture that values creative minds and fosters ideas at every level.
As parents, we all have been asked the “Why?” question by our children. I call this the “magic why.” Is it ok in your organization for employees to challenge the status quo — with a loud why? And do you listen to their thoughts behind the why?
Beware of the idea killers in your ranks! They hold on to the tried and true. Perhaps they have a fear of change. Their egos prevent them from accepting the fact that others have better ideas and in some cases fear new thoughts and methods.
There are many ways that ideas get killed:
- They are ignored
- They are laughed at (remember the cabbage patch doll)
- “We have tried it before”
- Ideas are attacked in public
- Death by committee
- Stating why the idea will not work, rather than pursuing why and how it can work
- A leader that passively lets ideas languish
- Criticism of ideas drives employees to conform to the conventional wisdom of the past
- Leaders do not see the big picture
- New employees ideas are subjected to harsh put downs – in public
Remember, when dreams and ideas are shared, they are the seeds for a better future. Ideas keep the fire alive in people. They reenergize, reengage and help employees to reinvent themselves and help get them out of a rut. On the contrary, idea killers suck energy from those around them.
One way to help nurture and generate new ideas is to give people a break from multitasking, which indeed interferes with creativity and concentration.
Have you ever attempted to do a complex dance and think about a serious business issue at the same time? Good luck.
When ideas are listened to, investigated, tested and implemented, employees flourish as members of equality in a larger innovative group. Ideas cultivate individual employee potential. Draw insight and inspiration from the creative talents of the group being lead.
Ideas are the guidepost to proactively and passionately respond to whatever change is necessary for exceptional performance. Ideas drive continuous learning, which is needed for employees and companies to stay on the cutting-edge.
Remember, quite often the employee at the grassroots level may be more attuned to what ideas will resolve a problem.
Building and living a culture that puts people before strategy will unleash the creative juices and will result in an organization that is committed to improvement and that recreates itself through new ideas.
Cleary, employees wish to be heard. Coming forward with suggestions is a strong signal that they are thinking about ways to improve the performance of the company.
Recent research by right management shows that feeling valued by senior leaders and having their opinions count are key drivers of employee engagement.
Employees have ideas! Is anyone listening?