Practical insights for turning employee ideas
into action and results

The Ideas-to-Action Blog your hub for employee-powered innovation—insights from the book, practical tools tied to the Ideas-to-Action Solution Suite, and real stories that show what works. 

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Choose one of these free resources to begin applying the Ideas-to-Action Process—then explore the blog for practical tools, real examples, and leadership insights drawn from the book and 35+ years of work with leadership teams.

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From the book

Key ideas, leadership missteps, and proven principles from Ideas to Action—written for leaders.

Ideas-to-Action solutions

Practical tools, templates, and how-to guidance aligned to the Ideas-to-Action Solution Suite.

Client stories

Real-world examples of frontline teams turning employee ideas into measurable results.

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Nobody Did It Problem for Teams Solved by Ideas-to-Action Champions

Leave “Nobody Did It” Behind: How Action Champions Drive Personal Accountability

Tired of important team tasks becoming “Nobody's job”? Discover Action Champions – the Ideas-to-Action solution where team members volunteer to lead prioritized ideas, driving ownership and positive accountability. See how it empowers individuals like Patty to step up and lead....
Focus on Act-Now Ideas for First Team Meeting Success

Lead First Change Team Meetings that Energize: The Ideas-to-Action Fast-Start Formula

First change team meeting chaos? Feeling the pressure? Ditch the debate traps and endless talk. Learn the simple 1-2 punch (Silent Brainstorming plus Idea Sorting) that gets all voices heard, finds quick wins instantly, and launches your team into action—all in the first hour....
Speed to Ideas is Key When Launching Frontline Teams

Speed to Ideas: Why Capturing Ideas in Hour One is Key When Launching Frontline Teams

Typical first team meetings waste precious time. Learn how Step 2 of the Ideas-to-Action Process™ uses simple techniques like silent brainstorming to unleash everyone's best ideas in the critical first hour, setting the stage for success....
The Discipline of X/Y Thinking for Employee-Powered Innovation

Finding the Sweet Spot for Rapid Improvement: How X/Y Thinking Focused a Team for Big Results

A local branch manager hits the wall. In the face of unexpected profitability pressures, his team was feeling out of control and low on confidence to resolve the issue. Learn how applying simple X/Y Thinking (Step 1 of the Ideas-to-Action Process™) pinpointed a motivating mission for the “Garment Guardians” team, unleashing $125k in results and restoring team confidence....
Avoid the Easy Button When Responding to Urgent Change Challenges.

The Case of the Amber Vials: Why Hitting the Easy Button Often Leads to Sub-Optimal Solutions

A simple frontline idea, borne from experience, could have saved month and millions. But faced with mounting losses a leader chose the comfortable path. Explore the Amber Vial story and learn why more precision and attention in upfront assessment pays big dividends when responding to change and innovation challenges and opportunities....
Concept of Small, Fast Results Driving Means for Big Change.

From “Army of One” to Army of Many: How starting with small, but fast results can drive BIG CHANGE

No experts? Limited budget? Facing immense pressure? See how one healthcare change professional transformed constraints into catalysts by ditching complex change methods and equipping her frontline staff with an adapted, practical approach focused on quick wins and real results....
Metaphor for Problem of Dogmatic Process in Change Strategy.

The Change Management Dogma Trap: When PROCESS Becomes the Problem

Can change processes themselves become the barrier to change? Explore the "Dogma Trap"—when rigid adherence to methods overshadows crucial frontline wisdom and slows results. Learn why adapting process to people is critical for success and how the Ideas-to-Action approach avoids this pitfall....
Metaphor for the Hidden Cause of Change Failure Hiding in Plain Sight

Why Do Change Efforts Fail? The Answer is Hiding in Plain Sight.

Why do up to 70% of change efforts fail? Common reasons like communication or leadership often miss the mark. The answer is hiding in plain sight, rooted in how we activate (or fail to engage) frontline motivation and agency through process. Discover the hidden cause and the Ideas-to-Action Process specifically designed to address it....
Leadership Lesson in Employee-Powered Innovation-Pizza is not Enough

Last to First: The Leadership Leap of Faith in Employee-Powered Innovation

Over the years, I've had the privilege of facilitating numerous organizational turnarounds using the Ideas-to-Action Process and principles. Some stories truly stand out as powerful testaments to what's possible when leadership fully embraces employee-powered innovation. The account that follows, told in the words of “Dan,” an airline hub director I worked closely with, is one of the most compelling. Here is Dan's firsthand story......