Post by mstjuste on Apr 14, 2021 14:05:26 GMT
Choose one leader you know, have worked for, or have simply followed via press, books, podcasts, etc.
• What is one way that they evidence(d) an innovative mindset and encouraged innovation?
Grant Collins. I started my journey at Fedcap as Executive Assistant to Marcia Solovitz, Executive Director of WeCARE at the time. In my role, I was privy to several challenges that arose when it came to budgeting, office moves, changes in operations or even having to let go of staff. I often had to shadow his assistant in order be coached and developed in my role. Grant Collins always seem to lead with questions, faced challenges head on and approached all leaders with focus, care and confidence. As I have learned in my experience with programs that are grant-based (no pun intended), WeCARE went through a period where staffing changes would have to occur. Mr. Collins would meet would leadership and start with questions, guide the conversation and it eventually led to a common resolution where: Changes were made but a consensus was also present that this fulfilled the company mission. As a result, those in higher ranks were willing to shift; others willing to relocate to another site and the list continues. This wasn’t the only area where I recognized his innovation, but I have witnessed Mr. Collins have the same resolve as the leader in APOLLO 13 where ‘Failure is not an option’. With that, he led with questions, took time to listen to ideas and often scheduled a time to revisit.
On the flip side, there where conversations about expanding the program and how could we with a limited budget do so given the limitations we had with regard to space. The conversations led to converting shared spaces into places where we could have workshops, office space, lounge areas for staff/participants, conference rooms and more. The conversations led to different ways of distributing and allocating supplies and how FedcapCARES could be used for scheduling/attendance and reporting on various levels.
Grant Collins displayed a commitment to innovation in almost every interaction I have witnessed or had with him. Try walking or talking with him for 5 minutes. I guarantee there will be a question and it will usually be asking for your thoughts, ideas or opinion creating a space and dialogue where the invitation to innovate is already present. I look forward to a day when I can be a catalyst or facilitate innovation as he does.
• What is one thing that you took away from their work that you are striving to implement today in your work?
One of my take-away is to believe in what is possible and trust your leadership. Sometimes, the very ideas that did not make sense in the beginning ended up being the most successful practice in the end. But in the same breath, do not feel obligated to please everyone. Innovation doesn’t mean that all ideas will work. All voices matter, but the mission, goal and outcome is an ongoing journey that can’t be held captive by emotion. Innovation is going into the unknown knowing what YOU don’t know but willing to take the steps necessary to reach out for it.
I want to be the kind of leader that sees what’s possible, not threatened by what I know and what I don’t know, but willing to passionately create an environment where reaching for the unknown and attaining it is commonplace. I want to reputation of being a leader who enables his leaders to make the impossible possible.
• What is one way that they evidence(d) an innovative mindset and encouraged innovation?
Grant Collins. I started my journey at Fedcap as Executive Assistant to Marcia Solovitz, Executive Director of WeCARE at the time. In my role, I was privy to several challenges that arose when it came to budgeting, office moves, changes in operations or even having to let go of staff. I often had to shadow his assistant in order be coached and developed in my role. Grant Collins always seem to lead with questions, faced challenges head on and approached all leaders with focus, care and confidence. As I have learned in my experience with programs that are grant-based (no pun intended), WeCARE went through a period where staffing changes would have to occur. Mr. Collins would meet would leadership and start with questions, guide the conversation and it eventually led to a common resolution where: Changes were made but a consensus was also present that this fulfilled the company mission. As a result, those in higher ranks were willing to shift; others willing to relocate to another site and the list continues. This wasn’t the only area where I recognized his innovation, but I have witnessed Mr. Collins have the same resolve as the leader in APOLLO 13 where ‘Failure is not an option’. With that, he led with questions, took time to listen to ideas and often scheduled a time to revisit.
On the flip side, there where conversations about expanding the program and how could we with a limited budget do so given the limitations we had with regard to space. The conversations led to converting shared spaces into places where we could have workshops, office space, lounge areas for staff/participants, conference rooms and more. The conversations led to different ways of distributing and allocating supplies and how FedcapCARES could be used for scheduling/attendance and reporting on various levels.
Grant Collins displayed a commitment to innovation in almost every interaction I have witnessed or had with him. Try walking or talking with him for 5 minutes. I guarantee there will be a question and it will usually be asking for your thoughts, ideas or opinion creating a space and dialogue where the invitation to innovate is already present. I look forward to a day when I can be a catalyst or facilitate innovation as he does.
• What is one thing that you took away from their work that you are striving to implement today in your work?
One of my take-away is to believe in what is possible and trust your leadership. Sometimes, the very ideas that did not make sense in the beginning ended up being the most successful practice in the end. But in the same breath, do not feel obligated to please everyone. Innovation doesn’t mean that all ideas will work. All voices matter, but the mission, goal and outcome is an ongoing journey that can’t be held captive by emotion. Innovation is going into the unknown knowing what YOU don’t know but willing to take the steps necessary to reach out for it.
I want to be the kind of leader that sees what’s possible, not threatened by what I know and what I don’t know, but willing to passionately create an environment where reaching for the unknown and attaining it is commonplace. I want to reputation of being a leader who enables his leaders to make the impossible possible.
