Page 94 - Free the Idea Monkey

that bad of an idea. We could actually do that.” Eventually the idea
that started as a joke wound up being seen by 40 million consumers
as a new kind of phone bill—one that was simple to understand. Not
only did consumers embrace the joke, so did AT&T and SBC, who
have adopted the same idea. How great is that?

When looking for a big idea,
you don’t necessarily want to
hear “Eureka!” but laughter.

THE EQUATION
There are two lessons here. First, it is not difficult to stage events

that create this type of result, and leaders should create them. More
importantly, we must learn to pay attention to laughter. Where there
is laughter, there is an idea that holds people’s interest. The pleasant
by-product of all this: work becomes more enjoyable, and that, too,
increases the chance that you will be able to innovate successfully.
If you are having fun, you are more creative.

Here is an equation for you to consider the next time you are
wondering why nobody is coming up with big ideas:

I=F+H

Ideas equal fun plus humility on the part of leadership to support
the idea. As a leader, you are in charge of the “F” and the “H.” If you
take care of those, your team will take care of the rest.

79C H A P T E R 5