WHY IT’S TIME TO FORGET THE PECKING ORDER AT WORK

The idea: Superflocks. Who:

Margaret

Heffernan – former CEO of five companies and business author.

What? In a famous experiment, a biologist put together a flock of very productive chickens, thinking it’d produce a ‘superflock’ and lots of eggs. It didn’t. Only three chickens survived – the rest were pecked to death. In comparison, an ‘average’ flock were thriving. Heffernan says this is like many offices – and instead of striving to hire the very best, we should work together to become the best team.

Quote: “No idea is born fully formed. It emerges a little bit as a child is born… messy and confused but full of possibilities – and it’s only through generous contribution, faith and challenge that they achieve their potential.”

Apply it: Got an idea you think would work, but not quite sure how? Suggest a brainstorm with colleagues. Work alone? Ask your contacts’ opinions on projects – they might see things differently.