The Best Ideas Always Come From Within
If you’ve ever been to a Starbucks, you’ve probably noticed how they make an effort to get your name and write it on your cup. It may seem simple—sometimes even amusing when the name is misspelled—but here’s what’s fascinating: many of us end up sharing it on social media. That little moment becomes a conversation starter. It’s marketing, but not the traditional kind. It’s organic, human, and memorable.
Now, you might wonder—who came up with that idea? Was it a slick move from a top-tier consulting firm or a strategic plan from the corporate boardroom? Actually, no. As shared by Howard Schultz, former Chairman and CEO of Starbucks, the idea came from one of their own baristas. One day, they simply decided to write a customer’s name on a cup. People liked it, it caught on, and soon it became a signature practice across the entire brand.
This is exactly why I believe the best ideas don’t come from the outside. They come from within. From the people who live and breathe the brand every single day.
There’s absolutely value in bringing in external perspectives—consultants, experts, new eyes to challenge the status quo. But at the end of the day, the success of any change lies with the people inside the organization. Wouldn’t it be even better if the ideas themselves also came from them?
The best change always starts from within. I’ve seen it time and time again in every organization I’ve had the chance to work with or contribute to.
As we welcome newer generations into our workplaces, we have a real opportunity. Let’s make it part of our culture to encourage ideas from our people and give them the resources and trust to make those ideas happen.
That’s where the real magic of the future lies