The words "business innovation" may conjure up a vision of complex multi-year transformation projects, with
Well, that was then. Today's workplace doesn't have that kind of time. They're making "micro moves" that have immediate impact. Anywhere you look, you can find examples of how "small" leads to
What's different now is scale and speed. In the past, small moves often struggled to make a dent in big problems. Today,
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So what does this look like in practice? Here are some ways micro moves are showing up in the workplace today — and the benefits they create.
Embrace the learning curve. From my perspective, there's a big difference between AI and previous technology innovations. With AI, everyone has had to start from scratch, even those of us who have worked in technology for years. That's a bit humbling. It's okay to admit you don't have the answers, but then seize every opportunity you have to learn. If you don't adopt a learning mindset now, then you might find yourself behind the curve.
Break big problems into smaller parts. Let's face it, some of today's business challenges are incredibly complex. Trying to get your arms around them will slow you down. Instead, deconstructing big problems into bite-sized pieces allows you to work and produce faster. So, resist the temptation to develop detailed plans and instead focus on minimum viable solutions, test them, and then adapt quickly. You'll not only create value faster but also sharpen your problem-solving skills along the way.
Don't go it alone. Even if you're working on a solo task, ask a few peers to brainstorm and test ideas. Collaboration fosters new ideas and helps everyone learn. Think of it like your seventh-grade science projects: When everyone brings their ideas to the table, that leads to a better outcome.
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Practice, learn, repeat. One of the best ways to learn anything is by doing — and AI is well-suited to practicing. This is particularly true for prompt writing. Your first results may not be what you expected, or your gut tells you to question the output. So, dig in to understand why. Then, see what happens as you adjust your approach and sharpen your prompts. In fact, each time you sit down to start a new task, even if it's writing an email, make it a habit to consider how AI could save time or help you be more effective.
Share the journey. We're all on the learning curve together, so make it a point to connect and share experiences among your team or organization. Document your process so others can learn from it. What worked? And, just as important, what didn't work, and how did you overcome that? Ask these same questions of others to learn from their successes and struggles.
Balance freedom with framework. If you're in a leadership role, aim for a balance between structure and freedom. Provide a framework that allows exploration while ensuring proper controls around data and clear criteria for prioritizing work based on business impact, complexity, and strategic fit. Consider establishing an AI committee to help with oversight and efforts to build upon successes.
Giving people freedom doesn't mean they are free from accountability. For instance, I don't tell team members how to use AI, but I do ask them to document how AI contributed to winning each new project and how they will use it to deliver services. During annual reviews, I ask them to share how they used AI during the year. This approach reinforces the expectation to use AI, but in a way that is less rigid and more focused on personal growth.
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Be ready to move fast
AI is rapidly changing the way we work — enabling smart micro-moves that can have a significant impact. While we're all learning together, those who are confident in their use of AI to experiment, adapt quickly and become adept problem solvers will not just thrive in this new environment, but become tomorrow's innovation leaders. Are you ready?
