Scaling Innovation
10
Address underlying concerns before asking managers to lead change on their teams
A "stay interview" can help you identify what will keep your employees invested in the work, and demonstrate that they matter
Teams need forums to spread new ideas and ways of working
Technology can scale exponentially, people and relationships can't. As you grow your organization, scaling your culture in a healthy way becomes ever more important.
You need a distinct team and process to integrate ideas into the wider organization
Whether you report to one, manage one, or are one, the middle manager is often a thankless role within the organization. They have to deal with the “relentless and conflicting” influx of demands, serving as gatekeeper between senior and junior levels. And while they’re meant to have autonomy over their direct reports, they often get stuck enforcing decisions made by those above them.
As leaders, we are repeatedly told that we need to learn to delegate. And unsurprisingly most of us struggle with it. After all, we likely got our jobs because we were star performers that happily took on more work and responsibilities.
Gather your leadership team together and run a diagnostic test of your company’s innovation goals and needs before establishing an innovation outpost.
Empowering employees is positively correlated with their job satisfaction. Keep your team motivated and happy by giving them independence along with encouragement and guidance.