Every Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
Every Olympic gold medalist.
Every Wimbledon champion.
What do they all have in common? They all had coaches.
When developing Syska Innovations, we outlined five desirable behaviors in our innovators: curious, customer-obsessed, collaborative, adept in ambiguity, and empowered. This was our vision of what a successful innovator at Syska would be. We also realized that the only way to ensure that, top to bottom, every Syska team member had someone that they could reach out to who would enable and encourage all of these behaviors. Thus, the Syska Innovations Coaching Network was born.
Here’s how we organized it: In each of our offices, we identified team members who are champions of the innovations development and designated them as innovations coaches. They are the peers and leaders whom anyone at Syska can turn to when hitting a roadblock in developing an innovative idea. The coaches also help eliminate obstacles to the ‘vision-create-execute’ pathway.
Alternatively, a coach can also take an idea from the innovator, who may not want to follow it through to completion. In these instances, the coach becomes an advocate for the idea, and eventually another coach or innovator within the Innovations Group moves the idea forward.
Coaches don’t always get the credit; their role is often under the radar. But they are the ones who ensure that others succeed. Without such encouragement, ideas are not translated into action. To us, therefore, coaches are the real champions of innovation.
Thanks to all the coaches who are helping Syska Innovations succeed. What coaches have helped you succeed? Let’s recognize their good work!