Over the years I have had the pleasure of working with a diverse mix of people, from varying backgrounds, cultures and with different ambitions. While we have many differences, we also have an equal proportion of things in common. One of which is, our role as a corporate citizen. FYI: A corporate citizen is an employee, worker, associate in a company.
As a corp citizen you follow the conventional path to the top. For example, in Sales – your first become a pre-sales rep, then move onto an inside sales role… quickly jump to a field sales role… then get promoted to a Sales Manager, and if your performance is consistent and impressive (and the political gods favour you) you move into the world of the Vice President / Director.
The same journey also applies to a whole load of other roles.
As you begin your journey or continue along the path, I’d like you to consider the following.
There are two distinct types of people in a company. I call them the consumers and the creators.
The Consumer makes up the majority across the workforce. A Consumer can, masterfully, consume and absorb the best practices, innovations, and key lessons that their eco-system produces. (The source of this insight tends to stem from the creators). It is what a consumer does extremely well. This consumption goes on throughout their career. Consumers are very good at identifying the right creators and tend to use them as mentors / coaches and advisors. This approach proves to be very lucrative for consumers (and can also add value to creators). Consumers tend to succeed in their roles as they focus on executing on the creations of the creator.
The Creator sits at the Apex of the pyramid of production. Creator’s love to invent, re-invent, innovate, re-create, package/repackage anything they find remotely relevant and interesting. They tend to be the ‘ideas’ people in the team/company. Creators can produce ‘disruptive innovations’ that have the power to create change in epic proportions. Creators cherish the love, gratitude, and recognition they receive from active consumers. Although, there can be times when the creator is under-recognised / rewarded – because an ambitious consumer gets greedy! A Creator demonstrates passion and persistence in marketing their creations. A Creator delivers excellent yields and is able to challenge the status-quo.
Which one are you?
Practical Suggestion for Corporates and Associates :
The role of the Consumer and Creator creates an equilibrium that many corporates need and value. There is however a gigantic opportunity for companies to cultivate ‘HYBRIDS’. A hybrid is a blend of a consumer and creator. The logic behind a hybrid is based on giving the workforce/associates an opportunity to grow and develop by ‘pushing the boundaries’.
Giving a consumer a chance to tap into their creative instincts and giving a creator and opportunity to consume and experience others creations will generate a wave of contentment across the company. Most associates cite, ‘Lack of personal development’ as being the primary reason for leaving a company, the ‘hybrid’ approach is a smart way to address this.
Some of you may be asking… Well, this sounds great, but HOW do we create this hybrid approach? How will it work? How will we measure it?
I will be running workshops during the summer period for various companies on this subject.
As usual, get in touch if you are interested.