5 Steps to Creating a 21st Century Organization: <br><h2>Step 3 of 5</h2>

Monday, May 22, 2017

5 Steps to Creating a 21st Century Organization:

Step 3 of 5

3: Modern Organizations Support Creativity

“Without consistent creativity, there can be no innovation. So why do so many companies ignore creativity? Because you have to let go of control.”
— Brad Szollose, Liquid Leadership, page 38  

K2 Design 20th Anniversary Party NYC 2013.
Our Art Directors.

One way to be innovative and pull ahead of the pack, is to entertain new ideas that are employee driven.   

That doesn’t mean you abandon what works for something new and sexy, but it does mean that what works needs to be supported while incubation is also supported.

At my own company, K2 Design, we had a policy; employees were encouraged to submit any and all ideas that they believed could be a great addition to our products and services.

We had dozens and dozens of ideas. Three we turned into new divisions of K2—K2 NetMedia, VisaTrack, and CliqNOW!

CliqNOW! was sold off for a few million dollars and a stock swap. The employees who managed that division wound up going onto the new parent company.

But this isn't some kind of anomaly. This requires the leadership to create an environment of trust. Trust that is built into the corporate culture from day one. Try new employee orientation with the idea that all creative ideas will be supported.

And then put your money where your mouth is.

"Creativity, innovation, and breakthroughs WILL BE REWARDED HERE." Print that on a poster and put it on the wall of your office.

Everyone is complaining about Millennials these days. But managing these new wunderkinds is actually an easy task when you give them a chance to unleash their creative nature.

Imagine discovering the next Mark Zuckerberg right inside your company. That would be an astounding achievement. But it starts with the structure of the company. From the bottom up, not top down. Creativity should be the cornerstone of your company.

Look at companies like Zappos and ValvE Software. Creativity CAN be managed. But it requires a new set of rules.

See you in Step 2...

Brad

PS: At K2 we were always trying to be cutting edge:
K2 Design Branches Out Into The Risky Realm of Wireless Services...

Brad Szollose
Global Management & Leadership Development Consultant

Author • Workshop Facilitator • Executive Coach • Keynote Speaker

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Who Is Brad Szollose?:

First things, first. How do you say Szollose?
It’s pronounced zol-us.

From founding partner and CMO of K2 Design, Inc. the first Digital Agency to go public on NASDAQ to international leadership development expert, Brad Szollose has worked with household names like MasterCard, American Management Association and Tony Robbins, to create leadership training programs for a new generation.

As an award-winning creative director, he has been the creative force behind hundreds of high-end corporate events, personal and consumer brands, and website launches. Brad is the recipient of the Corporate Identity Design Award and the Axiom Business Book Award along with various awards for website and print design.

Brad's unique management model was awarded the Arthur Andersen New York Enterprise Award for Best Practices in Fostering Innovation Amongst Employees (Workforce Culture).

Today, the world’s leading business publications seek out Brad’s insights on next-generation leadership development, branding and modern Management Strategies, and he has been featured (both print and online versions) in Forbes, Inc., Advertising Age, USA Today, New York Magazine, The Huffington Post, International Business Times, Le Journal du Dimanche (France), and The Hindu Business Line to name a few, along with television, radio and podcast appearances on CGTN America, CBS, Roku Network and other media outlets.

Brad continues to challenge the status quo with the 10th Anniversary Edition of Liquid Leadership, and his new podcast, Awakened Nation®: a Deep Dive into Extraordinary Conversations.

After 35 years in New York City, he now splits his time between Las Vegas and Denver. In his free time, he enjoys hiking in the mountains, working Star Trek quotes into everyday conversation, and painting and drawing the stunning landscape of the American Southwest and The Rocky Mountains.

Monday, May 22, 2017