Practicing innovation isn’t just something that happens at Silicon Valley tech companies. It can happen in any company, in any basement garage, or in any thought that comes up during a walk in the park.
So even if you have a small business and a small team, cultivating a culture of big ideas is an important step to growing your business, encouraging employee success, and generally making work a more fulfilling place to be.
Here are some ways to create this type of environment in your office.
It’s easy to get stuck in the daily work routine week after week and forget to step back and see the big picture. That’s why you should schedule regular time in your calendar to reevaluate what it is you’re working on and whether it’s still accomplishing the goals of your company, or your own personal growth goals.
Schedule time to see how other businesses are approaching problems. Read business articles, watch documentaries, listen to podcasts. These can all be places where you hear stories and gain inspiration that will impact your own work practices. Encourage your employees to do the same.
Is your office a place where everyone feels they can speak up, regardless of their title or seniority? Great ideas come when everyone feels that they are a valued member of the team. People are more likely to share thoughts when they know they won’t be laughed at, and when their teammates are able to listen and build on their ideas.
If you catch yourself responding to employees with phrases like, “Well, that’s just how we’ve always done it,” or “We don't have time for that,” consider whether you may be missing out on opportunities to grow and think differently. Change can be scary, but approaching it with an open mind can lead to growth and innovation.
Are your employees taking their allotted vacation? Are you encouraging them to take their allotted vacation?
Just because an employee shows up to work every day and stays for long hours does not mean they’re being productive. Research shows that productivity and the economy benefit from employees taking their vacation time, Harvard Business Review reports.
That means it’s up to employers to make sure their staff know that they should prioritize taking care of themselves. Not only will this support their physical health, but it will also help them show up to work refreshed rather than overtaxed.
When staff do take their time away from the office, it’s best not to contact them or set any expectations that they should be checking email. And of course, don’t require them to make up work during the time that they’re out.
Big ideas come from healthy minds, and every mind deserves a break!
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