No One is Too Small to Participate

We often think that to get the “best” ideas we need to bring in Stephen Covey, Ken Blanchard, or Tom Peters and let them guide us.

Not that outside eyes looking in can’t bring good ideas, and today’s management gurus can certainly tout some good ideas. However, quite often the best ideas for improvements will come from our own rank-and-file.

I’m talking about front-line employees — the people who work with the product or service every day. They see it from many different angles. They see the flaws, and more often than not they have ideas on how to make it better.

But rarely do leaders listen to the rank and file. It befuddles me, and actually angers me, when I hear managers say, “What do they know? They’re just entry-level workers.”

Seriously, if managers and leaders want change, that mindset must change. 

Not only will people throughout the entire organization have ideas on how to improve things, but the mere fact they’re involved in dialog and brainstorming on how to make things better will enhance their FOCUS, their EXPECTATION, and – if you keep them involved – their ATTENTION DENSITY.

Neuroscience research in how the brain works identifies these three factors as being essential to effect transformative change.  It just makes sense that if we want our entire organization to buy into and get excited about change, eveyone needs to have those factors present.

Who needs a guru when our employees are already eager to help make improvements?

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Filed in Business, Management, Leadership, Workplace, Corporate Culture, Coaching