What’s the Next Big Thing?
It could —and should — be you
As we enter a new year, peoples’ minds turn naturally to fashions and futures. What will be the next ‘big thing’ to seize our imagination. What big, new ideas will take root in 2009 and change the way we all think about the world of work?
In recent years, many gurus have come to prominence by claiming they know how to transform our world for the better. Yet conventional attitudes to management has been with us for a considerable time and most of these ‘next big things’ have been variations on the same themes. Today, we can, all of us, see the problems that some of those views of leadership have brought.
Maybe the real challenge for those in leadership positions over the coming year is to reshape people’s view of work in ways that go above and beyond the outlooks that have been the norm since the profession of management began.
In transforming ourselves, we transform the world around us. If, as a leader, you can demonstrate the power of shifting your own thinking, it provides the space and opportunity for your ‘village’—the community that surrounds you in the workplace—to do the same. And once you tap into the power of that network, broader transformation becomes possible.
So perhaps ‘the next big thing’ is not something ‘out there’. It may be staring at you in the mirror.
Changing your work environment is not something that you can expect others to do for you. Leaders at every level of an organization must take responsibility for the future of their workplace. Don’t wait for the next big thing to come along. BE the next big thing yourself.
Technorati Tags: leadership, change, finding new ways, innovation, fresh ideas
January 6th, 2009 at 10:34 am
As much as I have tried to “change my work environment” the more resistance was exerted. In that case, I would change what I could that impact only the way that I did business and that improved my personal performance.
To quote Leadership Secrets Of Atilla The Hun … “Always remember that worthy causes meet with the most resistance – even internal withholding of support and loyalty” and “People should be taught to focus on opportunities rather than problems.”
A year ago a co-worker made the suggestion that I experiment with XXX. I commented that it was a great idea! After the meeting another co-worker that was in the meeting told me in wonderment that I “have been doing XXX for two and a half years!!!!” I acknowledge that I was that already that but our department refuse to consider “the next thing” I moved on to refine my techniques on my own.
As mentioned, business trend to be conservative in their thinking and actions – thus only provides the organization to react in order to stay in business. This sometimes comes at the cosat of training and innovation. The issue with that is that it MAY be enough to keep the company afloat but not pull them ahead of their competition. Thus while many companies are batting down the hatches there is some entrepreneurial and forward thinking company that is ready to make the next big step and pull away from the competition!
January 7th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Hi CK,
Thanks for your comment. I believe that some businesses do resist change—that is surely the case. However, there is another great saying that relates to my thoughts that goes something along these lines: “make your own cash cow obsolete before someone else does.” Companies must never become content with their market position and must always seek ways to stay ahead of competition. I believe that this mindset stems from the top and that a leader must inspire such thinking and pursuits. That is not to say that things won’t happen such as you describe when something is suggested that has been worked on for some time. However, that points to a more fundamental problem regarding corporate communication, which I have written about extensively on SlowLeadership.com and http://www.ninasimosko.com.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Our response to any real life situation is invariably based on our past knowledge and experiences. This inevitably stops us from being innovative and fresh. In a way we react mostly in a stereotyped manner as we seek security in the tried methods. This prevents us from moving to the next step – a better setting- as we are averse to taking risks and play percentage. Good enough for running along but does not take us to the top rank. The few that bring in development into the work place gets the reward for being the first till others catch up. There is always a vacant place at the top. Only the pioneers go for it. They become the initiators for change and development. It can happen any where and any body can take a shot at it at anyplace. No point waiting for some body to serve it to you on a plate.
January 8th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Hi Sambit,
I agree that many, if not most, people tend to respond to situations based on past knowledge, experience and behaviors. However, I do believe that it is possible, certainly if conscious effort is applied, to vary these situations in order to innovate and respond in different, and hopefully better, ways. It really boils down to a classic “risk-reward tradeoff”. If we react in comfortable, tried methods, that would likely be less risky and therefore offer less reward. If we are willing, and able, to react in a non-proven manner [i.e. one with more inherent risk], then the potential rewards could be greater. Pioneers or innovators understand this dynamic at both individual and corporate scales. 3M is well regarded for innovation and creating new products rather routinely. They ask themselves the question “What’s the Next Big Thing?” and then encourage employees to figure out a cost-effective, profitable way to achieve it. As you stated, they don’t wait for someone to serve it to them on a plate!