Impeccable leadership is critical for any organization to remain adaptable and viable. However, too much emphasis on a leader at the top lets far too many other people off the hook.
That's because every single person with some stake in an organization must be empowered to lead within his or her domain of responsibility. This person's leadership role may be fleeting and informal, or it may be official, complete with title and performance targets. Either way, no one is inconsequential in steering any enterprise to greatness, because greatness is achieved one decision, one action, and one person at a time.
Simply put, that's what Everybody's Business by author Dr. Marta Wilson is about. This guide book provides leaders with the tools they need to make it everybody's business to know and grow the enterprise. Also, as part of Dr. Wilson's corporate social responsibility initiative, all first-year proceeds from Everybody's Business will be donated to charities that assist veterans, fight hunger, promote literacy and advance STEM education.
Individuals can be innovators and leaders, no matter their job level or duties. Everything depends on creating a culture where personal integrity can work in sync with enterprise integrity--the perfectly tuned, dynamic balance of discrete elements and participants--for all your stakeholders.
You need to create leaders and innovators by drawing out every team member's potential--one person at a time. You may have doubts, or you may believe there is just not sufficient payoff from investing in a cultural transformation in your workplace. Most likely, however, you have tried to find and keep top-notch staff and failed to do so. While salary is indeed a key indicator in companies with a stable talent base, so is culture built one person at a time. The more individuals understand the total system, the more they can contribute beyond the narrow confines of a specific job description. The more incentives and opportunities to shine they have, the more they will shine.
The question you really want to ask yourself: Do you know how to identify the lowest-cost changes and strategic adjustments that will create the biggest payoffs for the greatest number of people?
Hint: You can discover this pivotal alternative when you access, expand, unite, and put in motion the total system of individuals who are connected to your enterprise.