Words of wisdom you can implement in a minute or less

  —  Robin Williams

Do you ever feel like your ideas are too “out there” to be expressed in a meeting? Is your work environment one that rewards conformity over originality? If so, then perhaps you’ve lost your inner Robin Williams. Who can forget Williams’ early days as Mork from Ork? We all sat open-mouthed as we watched him unleash not just a spark, but a bonfire of insanity that lifted a mediocre sitcom to the ranks of the sublime.

You can imagine that some folks at the network thought Williams was a little too “out there” until, of course, the ratings showed that America was hungering for something a little less safe, a little less predictable.

As a manager, can you spot the spark that might elevate your team? Can you acknowledge that a little bit of madness goes a long way towards motivating a team to greatness? Ask yourself:

1.  Do I say “yes” more than I say “no?”

2.  Are our brainstorming sessions a judgment-free zone?

3.  Have I said “that’s just crazy enough to work” at least once this year?

If you answered “yes” to two of the three items above, you’ve still got the spark. What will you ignite today?