If you tell people the destination, but not how to get there, you’ll be amazed at the results! George Patton
There’s a lot of wisdom in this saying!
If you’re the type of manager who always tells your team how they must do everything, you may be getting results. The question is however: Are you getting the best results?
Some of the best organizational innovation occurs when managers tell their talented team of employees the objective they want them to achieve and then get out of their employees way so their employees can work together to fulfill the objective.
This ability to promote organizational innovation is an uncommon skill. It is also becoming more critical in this time of unrelenting change.
A classic global leadership survey showed the top methods managers can use to promote organizational innovation at all levels of a firm. The results of this survey are still relevant today.
In addition to these methods, managers can foster innovation by creating a compelling vision for the future (telling people the destination) and then listening to the workforce on their ideas on how to get there.
Ultimately, the best managers have a healthy ego. They know their strengths and are confident in their abilities.
They also know that as leaders they do not have all the answers!
If you tell people the destination, but not how to get there, you’ll be amazed at the results! (George Patton) Share on XThis article is accurate to the best of the author’s knowledge.
Content is for informational or educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional advice in business, management, legal, or human resource matters.
