In Praise of Thinking

Thinking is definitely underrated in many organizations.   

What do I mean by “thinking”?   Thinking can mean coming up with ideas,  considering solutions to problems, strategizing, planning, reflecting and so much more.  When people are “thinking”, they are often sitting quietly gazing out the window.   This is often perceived as “day dreaming” or “slacking off”, so what employees often do is to stay “busy” or at least appear to be.

Busy work often involves tasks that are repetitive and require little thinking.  So someone who looks busy may not be asking themselves, “Does this task add value?”   “Is there a better way of doing this?”   “Is there something else I could be doing that would be more productive?”

If people are rewarded for doing busy work, and criticized for thinking, what kind of an organization do we end up with? We end up with an organization that is focused on the dreaded status quo and is not perched for the next big change. And how satisfied are people working in this environment?  The good ones – the ones who take initiative, challenge the status quo, and innovate won’t last long.  They already have one foot out the door.  The employees that you will have left are the ones who decided to embrace the status quo and to resist any kind of change that comes their way.  This type of organization is doomed.

So how do you encourage “thinking” at work?

Everyone needs to be encouraged to think and to feel safe enough to ask questions and express ideas. By everyone, I mean EVERYONE - not just the talented leaders who have lots of confidence and big voices, but also the most junior person on the team, the shy one, the receptionist, the janitor.   Why?  Because they all have eyes, ears, and brains.  You are paying them, so you may as well get the most of them!

If you have a problem to solve, invite a variety of people to a meeting and listen (really listen!) to each of their suggestions and ideas, and then thank them.  You will not only get fresh perspectives, but you will be building their confidence and creating a culture where people feel honored, respected and recognized.