Summer Anderson: Innovation & Growth Requires Your Inner Kindergartner

The work you must-do if you want to see innovation and growth. This work involves letting your inner kindergartner come out. Because this is when people do their best work!

This show is proudly sponsored by Vidoori

Today’s Quote:

"The Universe is one great kindergarten for man. Everything that exists has brought with it its own peculiar lesson." 

- Orison Swett Marden (Founded SUCCESS magazine in 1897)

Guest Bio:

Summer Anderson is the Managing Partner of MiROR Partners. She has been spearheading executive search around the globe. With a proven track record of shaping executive-level leaders, guiding leaders to immediate clarity, and simplifying complex organizational matters, she is a trusted advisor to senior executive clients and candidates at Fortune 500 security, technology, and fast-growth companies. She is known for her solid network of long-standing relationships and as a catalyst for funding partnerships.  

Today we are going to cover 

Why it is important to let your inner Kindergartner take the lead
How  to create an innovative environment
The 3 step process to foster innovation

Why is this Important?

When working together a group of kindergartners outperforms a group of MBA's!
CEO- out of comfort zone. Anytime we are in default, we are not in their best selves, 
big mistakes are made outside of our comfort zone and operating in default. 
Trust on team is more attractive to everyone
Superstar hired will stay when the environment is safe
Curiosity, wonder, sparks innovation

To create the right environment for amazing things to happen

Have to be willing to prep the soil
Get minds clear enough to operate as a kindergartner. 
Being willing to empty yourself rather than fill your head with too much.
Listening with care. I'm gonna get curious about what you said
Squeeze all the nuances out of it

Innovation Codified

1) Build Courage:  Leadership must lead with courage in order to inspire trust neither #1 or 2 will occur.  If thinking differently and openly sharing ideas isn’t safe, it will never happen. The change begins with you.  

2) Review Sacred Cows:  Get your team to talk about the taboo topics.  Examine your thinking. Get an outside party to facilitate and get to the bottom of ‘why’ things are the way they are.  It’s more about thinking different. Apple was excellent about bringing this the forward. This is more about different perspectives.  You

3) Add Diversity of thought.  Take a long look. Is your team thinking differently? Or are you hiring just to increase your ratio of diverse team members?

Rick’s two cents

Stay true to who you are: If you are a jerk, hire other jerks who can challenge you. 
Your best people will leave when they feel unheard

Key Takeaways:

Be willing to look within and start with yourself 
Be willing to grow, get ready to help your people grow