EXCEPTIONAL LEADERS...
Are Open to New Ideas

Values Beliefs Traits Emotions Exceptional Leaders know that their reaction to new ideas will either encourage or discourage innovation and creativity.

Some leaders respond to new ideas in ways that turn off others. They become negative when new ideas are presented. “It won't work.” “We tried that before.” Or they instantly come up with other ideas that shut down the presenter. Worse yet, they may take credit for new ideas when they initially responded negatively.

Exceptional Leaders respond to new ideas in ways that support others’ innovation and creativity. A good example is the President of HEB Grocery who did not think that the Central Market concept would work, but allowed them to go ahead and open a pilot store. He found out that he was wrong. Central Market has become very successful.

When leaders discourage innovation and creativity, people tend to check their brains at the door. Exceptional Leaders are open to new ideas and foster creativity and innovation at every opportunity.

 

? Thought Provoker

  • How do you respond to others who suggest new ideas? Do you facilitate and encourage their creative thinking, or do you ignore, discourage or dismiss them?
  • Do you have a new idea generation engine in your organization?
  • What processes and systems are in place to foster new ideas?
  • Do you hire and nurture leading edge thinkers to insure that you innovate when the time is right?

 

In today’s era of accelerated change, new ideas are truly the engine that drives an organization’s survival and success.

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