“Ideas are dime a dozen. People who implement them are priceless.”
Converting an idea into reality can sometimes seem like a gigantic leap of faith into the potentially disastrous unknown. Saying that, great ideas are only made useless without the passion, lateral thinking and ‘let’s just go for it’ needed to implement them.
So the question is – how do you bridge the gap between that great idea and the completed product?
The main components of the bridge between an idea and reality are often time, money or resources. Ideas will regularly fall on these basic logistical requirements. But sometimes, the only thing that is stopping ideas from becoming a reality is courage. The courage to face the unknown, have faith in your idea and take a chance on it.
Sound familiar?
Glenn Llopis sees it as a fundamental problem with the modern workplace, where we are wired to only execute on what we are told to do. Unfortunately, this will only ever deliver immediate, short-term results.
His research shows that employees are much more able to deliver on assigned tasks than on tasks that require free-thinking and an entrepreneurial attitude.
To unleash the true potential of a team member, they need to be equipped with the confidence and resources to be able to think creatively, and see their ideas through to fruition.
Those people that can implement ideas take the initiative, and believe in themselves and the idea enough to be able to meet unexpected obstacles head-on, and to accept accountability and responsibility for the project.
They are able to help others understand their vision. Which means they have to be absolutely clear what that vision is and how to communicate it. How will it deliver ROI? How will it benefit the organisation but more importantly how everyone can play their role in achieving it? While it is important to embrace the opinions and expertise of others, they go with their gut, and stay true to their founding vision.
If you are a forward thinking organisation that wants to encourage creativity and an entrepreneurial attitude, then make sure that your team are empowered with the courage, freedom and resources to see their ideas through to reality. There is real value in someone that can turn an abstract idea into a complete product. Is your team made up of those priceless people that can implement ideas?
Maybe it is, but you don’t realise it?