Creating, Sharing, and Actualizing GREAT Workout ideas!

Workouts are nothing without a good seed idea. And the beauty of Workouts in my opinion, is that ideas for Workouts can originate from any Aitkin county stakeholder (internal or external). That's a lot of sources, but that's the point. The best ideas rise to the top quickly and are expedited into action through the workout process. What it means to be a highly desirable workout topic is something I'll cover in my next episode. But the key point is that Workout ideas are not judged on your position or level of authority, but instead on their merit. Share your idea here!

So, the ideas themselves can come from virtually anywhere and sometimes arise in the most unlikely of places. An idea could appear as a strategic insight from a Revitalization Team member, it could stem from a lunchroom conversation amongst frontline employees who find opportunity to address thorn in their side. Ideas could also arise from a vision by Sponsors and Planning Teams. Each source of ideas is equally valued and considered. A citizen might share a grievance or suggestion that ends up revolutionizing the way we work. By gathering ideas from the top, bottom, and spaces in between and outside of the Aitkin org chart, our idea pipeline will balance detailed grassroots perspectives with broader strategic objectives.

So when that idea pops into your head, or arises in a revitalization jam, or is a complaint-turned-opportunity over lunch, what do you do with it? You have a lot of choices, and they are all equally effective. Ideas can be shared with one of our Revitalization Team members They can also be shared with me, members of the planning team (aka department heads). There's also a link on the banner of our Revitalization website where you can post an idea.

To give your idea some shape, here are a few helpful tips. First, make sure you clearly articulate the type of burdensome, outdated, or difficult process you wish to address. Does it have to do with reports, approvals, meetings, measures, policies, or practices? What do you think can be done with that process - could it be fully or partially eliminated? Delegated down? Done less frequently? Simplified? Done with less people? or Automated? Also, make sure you come with a pretty thorough description of the process you have in mind (what is the process called? Who is involved? What are the steps? Where do process breakdowns occur? Where are mistakes made? Where does confusion exist? And finally, what is at stake if we do not improve this process? For example, it could be time, money, well-being, talent retention, or strategic effectiveness.

Once you've shared your idea and it appears on the Workout radar, it will be examined for merit, compared to and prioritized amongst many other idea submissions, and then if it rises to the top of our proverbial idea leader board, a sponsor will be established, a few Workout facilitators will be recruited, and you will likely be asked to provide more input and participate in what is called a "Sensing Session." In sensing sessions, ideas are refined, aligned with the organization's strategy, assessed for feasibility, and evaluated for impact. It’s a melting pot of perspectives, where Workout facilitators work together to harmonize a unified action plan. For large-scale Workout ideas that span the entire organization, the Department Heads play a pivotal role. They evaluate each proposal against criteria including strategic alignment and potential impact. Smaller, department-specific Workouts, on the other hand, can travel through the idea mill faster as they focus on localized change.

Finally, as sponsors, Revitalization Team members, and employees share and process ideas, I'm here to help offer guidance, support, and coaching. This is a journey of learning for everyone involved, filled with opportunities to grow and evolve as we navigate these new waters. By the end of my consulting engagement, the goal is to identify masterful workout facilitators who can take the mantle as workout coaches.

As we conclude today’s episode, let’s reflect on the potential of the GE Workout in transforming not just processes, but mindsets and cultures. In Aitkin County, we're not just implementing a strategy; we're building a community of innovators and problem solvers.

Remember, every step towards innovation is a step towards a brighter, more efficient future.