Michigan

"In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed." Charles Darwin

Managers have a buzz going on! In the current session of Leadership Training for Managers, they are implementing influential leadership innovation projects. Below, you can sneak a peak at the green light thinking that is taking place between class members and within their companies. Mark Will, VP of Strategic Alliances, leads the process of innovation and creative thinking. Read about Mark Will.

If you would like to get engaged in this project email mark_will@dalecarnegie.com

Green Light Thinking

I must admit my e-mail has been down up till this morning, but before I read all your GREAT ideas mine were in the works also. Problem: We are a fast paced company ever changing and growing. Solution: Bring some of the change, the growth challenges, to the table for all to get involved. One Team One team solution. Create Unity! We will be bringing our challenges to light on Weds evenings for an hour after work starting on November 8. Topics to begin: New Phone system implementation/How do we effectively and collectively distribute all phone inquires into the facility. Transferring Delivery scheduling duties. The who, how , when, and why? With Green Light Thinking must come Green Light Understanding. Go Team!

Oh boy.. you guys are really innovative! I plan to discuss Green Light Thinking project in our department with my management on this WED. Proposal is to create an idea bank to improve operational & new project efficiencies here. We are planning to use our existing intranet tool which is pretty much like Google newgroups where people can followup & have their ideas on top of originals. Top 5 idea getters (# of ideas, not quality of ideas) will be rewarded & recognized by our Director in All hands meeting. Let the ideas flow in...

Hi everyone... I started the green light thinking this week and the timing was perfect as we are heading into 1Q 2007 planning. I instructed my team to do two things: 1- When thinking of our next year's advertising plans, don't become tied to what we have done in the past. Innovative thinking comes from moving forward and not mirroring what we've always done before. The instruction was to come back with advertising plans that reflect moving forward - not just repeating what has always been done. Don't be afraid to suggest new things...you never know where the next idea is going to come from! In what ways can we improve on our existing plans? In what ways can we add to the list of successful programs? I gave them time to think about this and we have a follow-up meeting and deadline scheduled. 2- I asked them to think of their own personal and professional goals for next year. The next year is an open canvas and anything can be accomplished...what is it that you want to see happen for yourself and the programs you manage? What will it take to make these goals happen and how can I, as a manager, guide you to accomplishing your goals? See everyone on Thursday!

Good Morning Everyone! I have started the Green Light Thinking by requesting a meeting with my team to discuss the process documentation project and also to create their personal development plan for the next year. Those are my two topics, and they will bring their own concerns. At the end of the meeting we expect to have clarity on what we need to do as a team to align our efforts with the company's vision, and we will also identify our professional goals along that line. I am trying to provide my team with an environment that will help them keep focused and motivated.


I have started the Green Light Thinking on my weekly conference calls.
This weeks Green Light Thinking is ideas for New Businesses to Market Our Services. I will take 4 ideas for the month of November and there will be a contest for the clinic with the most success in each category (minimum is 2 in each category). Another Green Light Thinking will be on How to Motivate Team Members-this will start next week.

That's a great idea. Some incentives we use here are gift certificates. They are just $10 coupons to Home Depot or The Outback Steakhouse but people like to get them. It shows that we recognize their extra effort.

Start a Green light thinking room on the internal web forum site. This will encourage team members to log their wildest ideas. They will have the option to remain anonymous. Employees will have the opportunity to build on other people's ideas. I still need to work on some incentives to get people actually want to participate in this. Any (green) idea?


Hope every one is well. I will be doing a 30 min meeting with my team to find ways to be more 'Proactive problem solving, find them before they occur'

I will set aside 15 minutes for "One on One" meeting with my team to discuss few items like - 1. High level Objectives for the month - Activities planned by each week, Task assignments for each team member -Tasks - Responsibility - Comments. 2. Status Review:
- Accomplishments for the week - Tasks Completed, WIP, Planned, Pending - Expected Workload and resources - Team - Issues/Concerns/Challenges (if any), - Perceived Risks and Risk Mitigation Plan (if any), - Expected new requirements and future plans
3. Any ad-hoc items 4. Feedback / Suggestions. This will help me to plan my timeline.

Good morning. I hope you had a good weekend. I am planning to spend half hour to generate ideas for achieving my career goals.

I will set aside 15 minutes during this week's staff meeting to generate
ideas from the team on how to reduce expenses during Q4, and what ways to increase employee moral due to the cost savings.