Leadership Concept

The value of valuing ideas

Leadership Concept

The value of valuing ideas

A key leadership concept is to create a positive culture. There are real benefits to be gained from getting the basics right.

This short story illustrates how each of these basics can be symbolized by one simple example – and we should never underestimate the power of symbols in defining organisational culture.

So what are the basics of our key leadership concept? The value of valuing ideas!

Waste of Money or an Investment in Time?

Of course, it’s one thing to place a value on creativity, but good leadership is about creating the culture that allows ideas it to flourish. You can do this by:

  • Ensuring you place a high value on the ideas of others
  • Allowing time to foster creativity
  • Building on the strengths of your colleagues
  • Trusting them to deliver

Henry Ford - leadership conceptHenry Ford is not often used to illustrate the importance of creative time and space. But we’ve chosen this particular story as it acutely demonstrates the application of our key leadership concept:

The importance of trusting people and nurturing their creativity – and of remembering the difference between efficiency and effectiveness.

It’s said that Ford once enlisted an efficiency expert to examine the operation of his company. While his report was generally favorable, the man did express reservations about a particular employee.

“It’s that man down the corridor,” he explained.

“Every time I go by his office he’s just sitting there with his feet on his desk. He’s wasting your money.”

“That man,” replied Ford, “once had an idea that saved us millions of dollars. At the time, I believe his feet were planted right where they are now.”

Seeing the difference between effectiveness and efficiency again illustrates our key leadership concept. Recognising that the value of effectiveness shouldn’t be sacrificed solely to the demands of efficiency is the first step. Actively promoting and facilitating creativity is the next. Start with yourself. Think about your own situation and ask yourself these questions:

  • Do you build in time to think about what you do?
  • How can you better differentiate efficiency from effectiveness?
  • Does your organisation’s culture value ideas?
  • Does it facilitate creativity?
  • Do you?

Effectiveness, Efficiency or Busyness?

This leadership concept is reinforced in our article about 3M’s “Bootleg” time. Making space for creativity may seem wasteful in the short-term, because that time may not be immediately or obviously productive. In the long term however, it makes sense.

Obvious? Perhaps, but how often do we give ourselves or our colleagues the time to sit with our feet up and think?

Confusing activity with productivity is quite common in the workplace. Whereas time invested in creativity and identifying opportunities adds value, “busyness” is really time wasting.

Our Henry Ford story was sourced from an article on the “Pursuit of Busyness“, which discusses the challenge of managing busyness. You can find more advice on this hidden time waster in our article: Is Busyness Killing Business?

Or for advice on the most effective way to spend your time, read Richard Koch’s classic book: The 80/20 Principle: The Secret of Achieving More With Less.

Leading Insights

If you’re interested in developing your leadership qualities, take a look at one of our leadership e-guides. Leading Insights is packed with more leadership stories, and some leading insights into how they can be used! Insights such as:

  • Uncommon insights
  • Tipping point leadership
  • Find the glass
  • Leaders need to be cathedral thinkers
  • Would you recommend your service/organisation to your friends?
  • Putting on a performance
  • Would people pay to see your team perform?
  • Bricolage leadership
  • Resourceful leadership
  • Nudging leadership
  • Mirror leadership
  • Chameleon leadership
  • Catalyst leadership
  • Chrysalis leadership
  • Saliency, sagacity and serendipity
  • Infectious leadership
  • Infected leadership
  • Great work days
  • Defining moments
  • Conveying what you care about
  • The kind of goals leaders set matters
  • Motivating leaders
Your site is wonderful

I do leadership training and your resources have been helpful. Thank you for your well done site.

Pat - United States

What a terrific resource site!

I am currently producing learning materials to support the Institute of Leadership and Management’s VRQ at Level 4 and would like to incorporate some of your stuff into the workbooks.

Tony - UK

I love your e-guides

I’m teaching team leaders and team members 7 Step Problem Solving and found your site very enlightening and useful for my classes!!!

Kenneth - United States

Looking for more leadership resources?

Try our great value e-guides

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn More

Got It