Lunchtime Links: Uncovering Employee Innovations

Creativity can blossom in your association through trust, respect, and attention. Give employees a chance to let their innovative ideas flow by taking a page from Adobe’s playbook. Also: Entice young members to join your association.

If you’ve hired the right people, good ideas are always flowing. But the smartest employers help staff develop their best and the brightest visions into something that could become a reality.

Read how software company Adobe created a path to help its employees realize their potential in today’s Lunchtime Links:

What’s the big idea? Adobe’s“red box” innovation project is a model for organizations to access their employees’ creative potential, writes Laura Montini of Inc.com  (opens in a new tab). The program provides employees with guidance and financial support to advance an idea from an ‘aha moment’ to an actual prototype to present to executives and customers. At its core, Montini says, Adobe’s approach is based on trust, responsibility, and ensuring “quality when it comes to new ideas.”

The young and the fearless: As older, more experienced members begin to scale back from associations due to retirement, the next generation is set to take their place. But holding the interest of younger people—let alone securing their membership—can be challenging. XYZ University contributor Amanda Kaiser suggests  (opens in a new tab) investing in personal recruitment, demonstrating your association’s values, and engaging in consistent dialogue to attract younger members. “Generations X, Y, and Z will be the ones to sustain your association in the future,” she writes. “Engage with them now to ensure you are still here when your boomer members retire and are no longer the backbone of your organization. Helping young members meet each other, connect with experienced members, excel in their early careers, and contribute to the association now will prove beneficial in the future.”

The power is yours: Faith, trust, and a little pixie dust can go a long way for association leaders. Taking a chance on employees who are eager to shoulder more responsibility or act on a new idea can create a team of empowered, self-assured employees who are excited to come to work each day. JetBlue Airways Chairman Joel Peterson acknowledges  (opens in a new tab) personal integrity and respect to be fundamental to a “high-trust culture” at an organization, but he notes that empowering others is a key stimulant of great work, according to his latest LinkedIn blog entry. “Though our most meaningful work is often the result of intensive effort and focus, most of the time we don’t do it alone,” he writes. “Our best performances are nearly always spurred on by colleagues and leaders who have empowered us—that is, trusted us with the freedom and resources to excel.” Also, by keeping realistic expectations and encouraging employees to forge a new path, employers can display the compassion and assurance that helps create a positive work experience.

How do you inspire others at work? Share in the comments below.

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