Swapsies?

Don’t worry, I’m not looking to trade a Panini Football Premier League Harry Kane card, for a Mo Salah (sadly, as we do love a good swapsie in our household!).

Today is National Swap Ideas Day, a day to "encourage us to share a creative or helpful idea with someone and trade them for their thoughts in return”.

As business owners, we LOVE solving problems and challenging the status quo...

But it doesn’t have to sit just with us, as the Leader. Nor does it have to be an idea that is going to change the world.

But it is your role as the Leader, to create an environment and culture that generates ideas that lead to solutions:

• Are you and your team having regular conversations?  (Remember, the art of conversation lies in listening - not just talking or hearing).

• Everyone makes mistakes; it’s how you deal with them is the key. Does your culture openly encourage mistakes – even celebrate them?  Because this is where the most important lessons are learned.

• Are you asking the right questions to help others in your business? Being asked by your boss to simply come up with an idea isn’t helpful, and makes the recipient feel under pressure and nine times out of ten, draw a blank.  Asking questions like: “what are your biggest roadblocks to creativity” are more productive and help let the inspiration flow.

• Are you getting a fresh perspective? If you seek more ways to share your ideas and ask questions, (rather keep asking the same people the same things), then you’re more likely to spur your business into new and exciting directions.

• Remember new is not always better!  Revisit previous successes, and look at your current ways, as making a few improvements to what you’re already doing could make a big difference. 

Finally, make sure you’re surrounding yourself with the right people.  As the famous quote goes: “If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room.”

BW,

Martin

Martin Norbury

Investor | Business Mentor at Advocate | Author of I don’t work Fridays