Management today is largely based on lessons learnt from a volatile past. The global landscape of management is changing and evolving from day to day. The Crisis’s in the economy and the ever change human capital headspace is taking management from a prescribed practise to a fluid concept that constantly needs care and attention. The doctrine of yesterday needs to be challenged and reshaped, but how do you get the buy in from the powers that be?
What exactly is young? Youth in this context is not chronological; it’s a state of mind. Consequently the baby boomer ceiling is not necessarily an element of age either, it is an element of breaking current norms and not being tied down by the ‘practises that have stood the test of time’. Today organisations can learn a lot from their generation Y and Z members.
Example: The digital revolution can be somewhat daunting to the ‘old school’ managers, but society at large is benefiting from social media and real time reviews. Let the new leaders reshape the current management regime.
Solution:
Small time change
Create a forum that all can contribute too. Let ideas flow from manger to manger and create an environment where all can be involved without fear of retribution. Freethinking, like free speech, can bring out the best in all individuals. Take cognisance of all contributions from all members of staff, no matter which department, and no matter which operational element. Your acquired expertise coupled with their open minds can create new knowledge! Let this be central to day-to-day activities. It is important to internalise and processing the opinions of those capable of fundamentally changing the future.
Radical change
Hand over the reigns and let go. Let your staff run your organisation they way they would find it ideal. Take a conscious step back and let the insight and innovation of the less experienced shape the future of your establishment or department. Have faith in your people. Your have invested time and money in individuals because you believe they can increase your profit margins. Trust in your judgement and let them develop.
New business example
The ‘plug’ in your balance sheet calls for radical, proactive thinking. The current market is saturated and your clients are content with your product and have no need for bells and whistles. Give your ‘star pupil’ a budget and a timeline let them innovate. Their insights into your market can create a focus that would have been previously hidden.
There are no more target markets – there are only unfound sources of revenue. The ‘out of the box’ thinking can help you access the hidden nuggets of gold in the market that would have previously been unavailable or unseen through the eyes of established managers.
Possible impact and challenges
Innovation is possible in all facets of business. Failure is a very real risk. Taking the first step and letting new ideas fail is in its self a step towards new possibilities. The impact of the learning from a failed radical endeavour can shed light on current practises and open up new gaps and opportunities.
Breaking your own mould. Relearning is always difficult. Changing your mindset can mean throwing out the very essence of what helped you build the business, but can be destroying it today.
You might surprise yourself – The synergy with the ‘new space thinkers’ can help unleash your own inner innovation muscles and help you break your own glass ceilings.
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