Polly LaBarre, co-author of Mavericks at Work: Why the Most Original Minds in Business Win and co-founder of Fast Company magazine, delivered the opening keynote address, Saturday, July 26, at VenueConnect 2014.
LaBarre challenged the attendees to ask themselves how they can create powerful connections with people.
“How do you generate innovative DNA at your workplaces? What is the walk of leadership today?” she asked.
One way to create an innovative culture is to have strategic clarity. You have to define your purpose.
“You have to advocate for a cause,” LaBarre said. “Purpose isn’t nice. It’s about sharpening your points.”
In the end, you want people to retell your purpose. This includes not only customers, but also employees.
“The most successful companies are the ones who have figured out how to unleash their employees’ potentials,” she said.
LaBarre’s presentation, sponsored by Gensler, was full of questions, and that was on purpose.
“You should always ask more questions than give answers,” she said. “Inquiry beats assertions all the time.”
Please read more about LaBarre in the February/March issue of FM magazine.
(Image: Orange Photography)
