In a recent survey by Right Management, employees were asked “How often do you offer suggestions to your boss/manager at work?” The results reveal that:
- 54% More than 20 suggestions each year
- 24% Between 10 and 20 each year
- 15% Fewer than 10 each year
- 7% I don’t offer suggestions at work
So this study suggests that there are lots of ideas being shared but is there a correlation between the number of ideas offered and engaged employee? The study doesn’t directly answer that question but seems to suggest it. What do you think?
We’ve found in our work in organizations that employees who are engaged are those who feel that their input is valued and considered. Whether ideas on how to improve and fix problems, reduce inefficiencies, provide better or more improved service to customers or generate new revenue sources, the key is not that an idea is implemented but that it is are acknowledged, explored as to its feasibility and most important, if not feasible, communicated back to the employee “why” the idea will not be implemented.
What we’ve found to be the killer of innovative thinking in organizations is management not closing the loop on ideas suggested by employees. Employees know that not every idea will be implemented but they do want to know that you value their input. How do you show that? By doing this last step – give them feedback on whether the idea merits action or not and why.
If you want innovative thinking, let your employees know what happens with their ideas!
