Jacob Stoller’s Post

Innovation is a cooperative endeavour

When healthy tension becomes tribalism. There is something about pitting two teams against each other that seems counterintuitive. At a time when people have difficulty with civil discourse, forcing confrontation is asking for trouble. Not to mention this closely resembles #3 of the “Ten Rules for Stifling Innovation”: “Ask departments or individuals to challenge and criticize each other's proposals. (That saves you the job of deciding; you just pick the survivor.)”. Ask me for a copy. As the article points out, sharing ideas to better understand the opportunities is the preferred way for creating creativity.  (See my post on Creating Creativity:  https://lnkd.in/eyuSt8YZ) If teams are formed and led properly, there is no need for other teams to challenge them for effect. There are healthy tensions that can exist, but it takes a seasoned leader to know them, let alone spark them. Here are two HBR articles about tension: https://lnkd.in/eRqDPJE https://lnkd.in/g_s4WMG9 Leadership must be intentional. Knowing the types of tension your teams will experience is the first step in developing an effective team. Allowing the wrong kind of tension to flourish can derail months, if not years of progress. #leadership #teams #development https://lnkd.in/eyD-35ax

Insightful. Competition is a strategy that needs thoughtful application. Yes, we drive to be better, evolve, grow, succeed. An organization also shares in its aggregation of positives and negatives, that reminder that a company's employees are all invested in and connected to their colleagues. Without defined purpose and limit, the "Me versus Them" mentality becomes one of the most damaging strategies we could use.

I came across this discussion about using surveillance tools to monitor employees’ every move, and I have to say - this is a step in the wrong direction. Instead of micromanaging through surveillance, managers should focus on empowering their teams to succeed. Trust and autonomy foster creativity, productivity, and job satisfaction, while a culture of surveillance breeds fear and disengagement. Leaders should invest in their people by providing the resources, training, and support needed to thrive. Set clear expectations, offer guidance, and then step back. When team members feel trusted and empowered, they perform at their best. True leadership isn't about controlling every detail; it’s about inspiring your team to reach their full potential. Let’s shift the focus from monitoring to mentoring. You hire adults to do adult jobs. Treat them as such. Your people are your greatest asset - empower them to shine. #Leadership #TeamEmpowerment #TrustYourTeam #ManagementTips #LeadersEatLast #InfiniteMindset

Some friendly competition can be ok. When it goes beyond that I agree it’s counter productive and often encourages negative behavior. Leadership that builds trust & encourage collaboration across teams raise everyone to a higher level.

Creating the right culture to enable innovation can be tricky. Not surprisingly, companies where teams share information openly are more innovative and work for the greater good rather than promoting their own interests. Want to innovate? Support a culture of teaming, knowledge sharing and collegiality. Black box environments where teams work in isolation and keep their ideas secret for the "BIG REVEAL" are counter-productive. Keep everyone focused on the BIG Goals.

"Great things in business are never done by one person; they’re done by a team of people." – Steve Jobs This quote by Steve Jobs emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collaboration in achieving significant accomplishments in the business world. It highlights that no matter how talented or capable an individual may be, the most remarkable and impactful successes are the result of collective effort. Each team member brings unique skills, perspectives, and ideas, which, when combined, create innovative solutions and drive the organization towards its goals. This underscores the value of fostering a collaborative work environment where everyone's contributions are recognized and leveraged to achieve extraordinary outcomes. Check out : https://amtechiot.com/ and Our #CMMS : https://nexcilo.com/

Title: Unlocking Innovation: Embracing Creativity in the Workplace In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, innovation is key to staying ahead of the curve. But how can organizations foster a culture of creativity and innovation within their teams? 🚀 Here are three strategies to unlock innovation: 1. Cultivate a Diverse Team: Embrace diversity in all its forms - backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. A diverse team brings a variety of ideas to the table, sparking creativity and driving innovation. 2. Encourage Risk-Taking: Create a safe space for experimentation and risk-taking. Encourage employees to think outside the box, challenge the status quo, and pursue unconventional ideas. 3. Foster Collaboration: Break down silos and promote cross-functional collaboration. When employees from different departments come together, they bring unique insights and expertise, leading to innovative solutions. By embracing creativity and empowering employees to think differently, organizations can unlock the full potential of their teams and drive meaningful innovation. 💡 #Innovation #Creativity #workplaceculture