The Doctor is In

My annual physical always involves three basic measurements; heart rate, blood pressure, weight. These three metrics tell my doctor a lot about my general well being - well before I complain about my arthritic knees.

If you were to perform an annual "physical" on your team or department, what would the metrics be?

Here are some thoughts;

1. How many new ideas have you implemented in the past 12 months?
2. What was the source of these ideas? (Internal or external).
3. Who generated the idea? (all from one person, (you?) or from across the department?)

If your answer to #1 is that you haven't done anything differently, didn't implement any new ideas, your department may be stagnant - doing what you always do.

Showing up.

Punching the clock.

Going home.

If this sounds familiar, check for additional employee symptoms; glazed-over eyes, chronic fatigue, one word responses to questions, unexcused absences. Your people are either burned out or your department is in a major rut. Or both.

To me, idea generation is a basic indicator of business health. It means that people are engaged - they're interested in taking new approaches, constantly improving, optimistic, engaged in experiential learning, excited about what they're doing. They have the feeling that they can make a difference and that their contributions are valued. That is a HUGE business advantage.

Now answer the question; "Where are the ideas coming from?" If the answer is that they are solely internal ideas, the "not invented here" paradigm may be flourishing in your company. I used to tell my people to "Steal Ideas Shamelessly" - in other words, keep your eyes open for ideas that work - no matter where the source. It could be a marketing idea from the local grocery store, a customer service experience at the auto body shop or a blog you've read on the Internet.

Why spend the time re-inventing the wheel? If someone has had success with an idea, take a look at it, tweak it. Make it your own. Build upon what's already been built. Keep your antennae up! Experiment quickly. Learn. Experiment again.

Finally, who is generating the ideas? If they're all coming from one person or from the "top", you have unrealized idea capacity. Great ideas can come from anywhere, from anyone at anytime.

It's your job as leader to draw them out.

So give your department it's "annual physical". If the prognosis isn't good, stay tuned and tomorrow I'll share some ideas to get you healthy again.