"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us and the world will be as one."--John Lennon
I remember the days when crazy talk like that was deemed antithetical to success in businesses both large and small. Who has time to daydream when the bottom line is the bottom line?
Henry Ford encouraged employees at all levels to take time to think and dream. 3M, which has given us products like Scotchguard, the audio cassette tape, upside down candle lighters, and Post-It Notes, requires its designers to constantly develop new ideas, no matter how bad. They've been around over 100 years and their brand is synonymous with innovation.
Like 3M, perhaps you too can give a chunk of each year's profits to employee's for creative diversions. Maybe your company already has the type of culture where workers are free to play table hockey, use play-doh, or ride on pogo sticks in the name of being imaginative.
Even if those dramatics won't fly in the context of your place of business, still think of ways to allow for self-expression and release. I'm not talking about letting people write on the walls or surf the Net endlessly. No one is allowed to be lazy or ignore the basic job description. With that in mind, you might:
-Bring in a balloon and hit it around.
-Share favorite quotes and discuss them.
-Ask (appropriate) questions that co-workers rarely ask about family, hobbies, etc.
Taking these sometimes counter-intuitive steps allows people to be themselves. The authenticity and passion that comes from thinking will be good for business at every level.
"Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become." --James Allen
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