Innovation road blocks - security mentality

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I've been thinking about my colleagues back in my old job and have tried desperately to stay in touch to keep my pulse on the climate of the workplace. It seems it has changed even more and not always for the best. So, I figured I'd go out, network, gab, discuss, and get an overall view from other parts or other businesses. Not surprisingly I have the feeling that innovation is really being stifled, sharing of ideas is not happening, and everyone says they are really overworked and putting in an unbelievable number of hours to KEEP THEIR JOBS!!! Not so surprising I guess, but should the leadership of the organizations encourage sharing of thoughts, ideas, and innovation. Sure, there is lots of publicity at the very high levels and sure, there are the news articles of innovative green industries but, when you dig a bit you find fear. You have to ask yourself, how does that affect growth, inspiration, innovation, ideas, visioning, basically...the future. Well, I think when you are a worker bee you have now found yourself on the Maslow scale of survival and physiological level. Basically, what can I do in my job to protect me and my family and how do I keep anyone and everyone from infringing on my territory? Valid questions, I would say. And just think of the impact on the rest of the workforce. At a time when everyone should be pooling their creative juices and applying their freedom of thought, many line managers in many parts of many businesses are micro-managing their employees to death. Daily reports, busy work, mental masturbation of worthless work and exercising your power of management with the fear of the loss of employment for your people is not productive. So, what happens, people will stop sharing, caring and creating to give you...yes you...the so called leader, what you want because you need that to protect your job as well. Break the paradigm! Think differently, exponentially differently and be an inspirational leader and you will see results. You will have more inspired followers and happier dedicated and loyal employees. That's what its about, isn't it. This will result in a better bottom line and a more productive and competitive workforce. Just ask them....

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