Why nurturing your people will become your greatest asset.
Mobilisation
Above | Employees collaborating on shared projects
The question that progressive brands need to ask is how much they are willing to invest in developing the ideal breeding ground for innovative thinking built on a culture of team members working together to support and encourage each other.
Strong cultures begin with purpose
Nurturing an engaged and inspired team.
Team and culture-building remain a steady industry focus and competitive asset for expanding businesses. But it can’t be just any team; it takes a team with a ‘shared’ vision to push through the inevitable pain barriers to improve and thrive. And it’s management’s job to motivate and mobilise staff to form and construct a pathway to that vision. But how? It’s all about innovation. Innovation across as many business dimensions as possible. So, what is your business doing to lead the way? No matter the industry you’re in, it’s vital to do something to nurture an engaged team and one of the most compelling reasons is that people who feel part of something greater than just themselves are more engaged and inspired. With that in mind, the need for staff to identify areas the business can adapt, improve, and find solutions to has never been more critical.
Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation.
Leaders are responsible for creating and developing teams and are expected to lead them towards their best possible performance outcomes. To be an effective leader, understanding the individual nuances of every team member is vital. Once these differences are recognised and appreciated, a great leader knows the best way to find the common threads between seemingly disparate individuals is to help the team come together as one unit. Innovation and fresh ideas are essential ingredients, and the commitment to explore innovative concepts and new ways of thinking must be in place for each team member to work well with the differences for the greater good of the entire group.
Innovation starts with collaboration.
It’s only when fresh ideas are heard and explored that real innovation happens. A great team must know how to extract new ways of thinking from various sources, whether those fresh ideas come from senior team members or less experienced ones. And that’s important. Real innovation doesn’t have to involve high-profile leaders within the business. By involving anyone who is an active and willing student of your brand and product, you are on the right track to receiving fresh ideas that could lead to exciting new directions. While rank is not necessary, passion is. And research, as always, is key. The best innovation is built on solid knowledge and creative curiosity.
Identifying an innovator.
Innovators have a unique perspective. Their vision is built on an ability to understand the market and how it continues to evolve. Yes, they can see opportunities, but they can also see the potential that comes from nurturing knowledge, sharing it, and recognising when it needs further refinement. Brilliant innovators have their finger on the pulse and the power to help the team connect to that energy as well. Innovators do much more than have and share ideas; of course, innovators also take action to turn ideas into practice.
Open-minded collaboration.
Nurturing minds that are open to fresh, innovative ideas is another way to create a workplace environment that allows people to thrive as a team. Enabling employees to foster a mindset of entrepreneurial thinking sets them up for a positive workplace experience where team spirit matters. It becomes the foundation for sustainable professional development and organisational growth. There is no question that innovation makes a difference. The question that progressive brands need to ask is how much they are willing to invest in developing the ideal breeding ground for innovative thinking built on a culture of team members working together to support and encourage each other. When teams collaborate to create truly innovative thinking, propelling their brand and offering to greater success is a flow-on with positive outcomes for everyone involved.