Thu, January 19, 2012 - 12:28:26

In the C-Suite of the Future, “C” Stands for Collaboration

In a recent Forbes piece, Doreen Lorenzo explains why the “C” in C-suite may be in for a necessary change. The complex challenges facing today’s leadership calls for a new approach—and, as we also believe, that approach is a collaborative one.

Our company, the Kaplan Thaler Group, was founded on this model. Instead of operating from the top down, we’ve always encouraged ideas from everyone within our ranks, whether we were a seven person company or one made up of several hundred. And it’s been a vital part of our success as one of the nation’s fastest growing advertising agencies.

Lorenzo writes, “Ultimately, collaboration is the key to sustained success at any innovative company—no matter how much employees may admire a single figurehead. Ideas are only ideas until a team of people makes them real, profitable, and scalable over the long-term.”

The truth is great ideas can come from anyone, anywhere; companies that fail to recognize this are only doing themselves a disservice. Soliciting and considering input from a diverse range of leaders, as well as other staff, not only exposes the company to a larger pool of ideas, but provides the added benefit of fostering a more positive work environment for all.

Of course, collaboration isn’t a consideration exclusively for C-level executives. No matter what your position—whether you’re a seasoned manager or a fresh graduate in your first job—it can be easy to fall into the ego trap and maintain a fierce sense of ownership over your ideas. But, as we’ve found time and time again, working together, sharing the credit, and freely trading our thoughts with one another is the best way to getting problems solved quickly, efficiently, and effectively. And that’s just one more way in which NICE guys and gals finish first.

Posted by Linda and Robin