Every day we face new opportunities and challenges, yet we often overlook the most important aspect: Innovation is the only way to guarantee creating a legend. How we seize opportunities and overcome challenges is the difference between a mediocre manager and an exceptional leader. Exceptional leaders are not afraid to “think outside the box” and challenge not only themselves, but their staff as well, to develop unique solutions. Walt Disney, considered by many to be an exceptional and creative leader, once said, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” His statement, while simple, is empowering because it reminds us that often something seems impossible simply because it’s never been attempted.
When we experience situations which seem impossible, we need to take a step back, reevaluate our options, and develop an innovative approach to address the issue. Encouraging your staff to be creative in their thinking boosts morale, allows them to see they are truly stakeholders in the success of the company, and will result in the “extra mile” we all want to elicit from our staff. Challenge yourself and your team to develop and implement a truly innovative solution and you will find they that will be craving the opportunity again. Inspire others into action not only through your words, but by your example as well. Demonstrate to them that not only do you encourage development of creative solutions, but that you require them. This same theory was summarized best by John Quincy Adams when he said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
All of us want to leave a lasting impression of positive accomplishments – a legacy, if you will; few actually succeed. At one time or another, we’ve all sat back and wished we had done something different instead of what was commonplace. You still have time to become that dynamic leader that people will speak about long after you have moved on. If you truly want to make your mark, leave behind a legacy that keeps evolving through the thoughts and actions of others. Inspire them to dream, learn, and do more. Accomplish that and, like Winston Churchill, you will be able to declare, “History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.”
