Thriving By “Initiating”, “Creating” and “Improving”

The most memorable things in our career are the ones we initiated. People love saying, “I was the one who started the NY office” or “I defined the testing processes here” or “I bought our first consulting assignment” or “I started it from scratch”. During the hiring process, I encounter a number of people who cherish what they had built at their previous assignments.

We, as humans, crave for meaning. Our deeper satisfaction comes from “creating” something, “improving” the stuff and making a larger difference to the organization or people.

What it means for business leaders

• Identify people who are keen to make a difference.
• People who demonstrate active thinking about work.
• Involve them in strategic and tactical initiatives (either as a part of their primary KRA or as a part-time initiative).
• Explain them the importance of that initiative for the organization.
• Train them, if needed, to think from a ”possibility” standpoint”. (Read this GREAT story)
• Review progress and ask open-ended questions to provoke thinking.
• Let them run with those initiatives, but stay in loop to do course correction when needed.
• Validate the person and his/her thinking process.
• Recognize and reward the participation.

What it means for you as a “personal leader”

• Look at the current gaps within your organization.
• Gaps in operations, gaps that directly impact your work or areas where nothing exists.
• Those are your opportunities to initiate something meaningful.
• Talk to your immediate peers about what you can do to fill those gaps.
• Discuss, ideate and brainstorm with your immediate superior. (You can also find a workplace mentor to help you.)
• Take charge and commitment from the senior management.
• Draw out a plan with ideas, possible constraints and approach.
• Validate your plan with others – seek support.
• Execute the plan and review the progress.
• Track the impact of your initiative.

Bottomline:

The degree of our satisfaction depends on the degree of our contributions to the organization. By simply “doing-as-directed”, you may survive at best. But to thrive, flourish and grow, you have to think beyond the obvious and see possibilities. Initiate things. Follow them through. Deliver drastic improvements. Fill in the gaps. Bring about a big difference. Be memorable.

Have a great start into the week!