We know where most of the creativity, the innovation, the stuff that drives productivity lies - in the minds of those closest to the work.
Interpretation
Creativity and productivity are rooted in the insights of those engaged in the work.
This quote by Jack Welch emphasizes the importance of listening to and empowering the people who are directly involved in the work process. He asserts that the most valuable ideas and innovations often come from the individuals closest to the operational level, highlighting the need for organizations to tap into this resource to drive success and productivity.
In practice
Use this quote in a team meeting to encourage collaboration and idea sharing.
You've got to eat while you dream. You've got to deliver on short-range commitments, while you develop a long-range strategy and vision and implement it. The success of doing both. Walking and chewing gum if you will. Getting it done in the short-range, and delivering a long-range plan, and executing on that.
I wanted to change the rules of engagement, asking for more- from fewer. I was insisting that we had to have only the best people...If you wanted excellence, at a minimum, the ambience had to reflect excellence.
A leader's role is not to control people or stay on top of things, but rather to guide, energize and excite.
Control your own destiny or someone else will.
The idea flow from the human spirit is absolutely unlimited. All you have to do is tap into that well. I don't like to use the word efficiency. It's creativity. It's a belief that every person counts.
An overburdened, overstretched executive is the best executive, because he or she doesn't have the time to meddle, to deal in trivia, to bother people.
Optimism is an essential ingredient of innovation. How else can the individual welcome change over security, adventure over staying in safe places?
The way innovating companies are designed leaves ambiguities, overlaps, decision conflicts or decision vacuums in some parts of the organisation. People rail at this, curse it-and invent innovative ways to overcome it.
Most innovative things are not obvious to other people at the time. You have to believe in yourself. If you've got a good idea, follow it even though others tell you it's not.
Do you know what my favorite renewable fuel is? An ecosystem for innovation.
For a long time, I've ranted against naming your startup community 'Silicon Whatever.' Instead, I believe every startup community already has a name. The Boulder startup community is called Boulder. The L.A. startup community is called L.A. The Washington D.C. startup community is called Washington D.C.
There's a silly notion that failure's not an option at NASA. Failure is an option here. If things are not failing, you are not innovating enough.
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