Steven J. Preston
THROUGHOUT MY CAREER, I’ve had the privilege of leading organizations through significant transformations, even extreme crises. I say privilege because being part of a team that envisions and executes a path to a better future is incredibly gratifying. While achieving the final goal is satisfying, my greatest joy has been witnessing the remarkable potential unleashed. This happens when a team unites around a common purpose and a shared commitment to improvement.
I believe the most valuable insights and ideas often reside within the organization itself, among its employees. By inviting employees to the table, asking the right questions, and truly listening, leaders can tap into this wealth of knowledge and experience.
This is especially true when an organization is underperforming. Employees are on the frontlines, hearing customer feedback, understanding the intricacies of technology, and developing workarounds for broken processes. They know what “better” looks like, and they’ll reveal this information to you if you know how to ask for it.
But the power of employees extends far beyond generating ideas. It encompasses designing better solutions, ensuring their adoption, troubleshooting along the way, and driving the organization towards success.
Effectively engaging a team isn’t about top-down directives or suggestion boxes. The real magic happens when team members collaborate, share their perspectives, challenge each other, and overcome obstacles to design solutions together. This fosters a culture of openness, collaboration, and excellence that becomes an enduring organizational strength.
Would you like more of Steve Preston’s insights on employee-driven innovation spanning his career from Fortune 500 companies to sprawling government agencies to global not-for-profit organizations?
