Harnessing organizational capabilities through co-creation

CHIEDZA KADARE AND PAUL NYAUSARU

In most cases organizations make decisions that have an effect on the entire structure through the most senior levels.

As a result of this, most initiatives are designed and planned by people up the ladder who are removed from the day-to-day activities of the organization that ultimately need to be changed.

This decision-making initiatives which are far removed from the rest leads to sub-optimal decision making and planning.

It also affects employee engagement and ownership by employees to propose solutions or planned organizational changes.

Generally people tend to like and support initiatives they have taken part in creating.

The best ways to overcome these challenges is co-creation.

Co-creation involves actively involving employees and other stakeholders in organizational transformation.

Employees usually have a much better understanding of organizational processes than leaders, how they feel, what should be changed and what would make the organization both more effective and a better place to work.

Core creation involves the following:

λ Encourage Participation by All: It is important to invite employees and other stakeholders to be part of the process by providing opportunities for input and feedback.

Employees and stakeholders fill proud to be part of a process.

λ Foster collaboration: Leadership must develop a culture of offering opportunities for employees and stakeholders to work together to develop and implement sustainable solutions.

λ Foster Open Communication: How informed are your employees and stakeholders?

To motivate employees and stakeholders, keep everyone informed about what is going on, and encourage open communication and dialogue among members within the organization.

λ Have Empowered Employees: Employees need autonomy and resources to enable them to take ownership of the organizational processes and contribute to decisions that affect them.

λ Involve Employees in Decision Making: Employees feel honored and respected when involved in important decisions that affect their work, such as the design of new processes or systems.

λ Employees Need Training and Development: Employees need to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively participate in the organization’s transformational initiatives. Properly structured training and development initiatives have to be put in place.

λ Recognize and Reward Participation: Employees and stakeholders who actively participate in the organization’s initiatives should be recognized and rewarded so as to motivate them.

Co-creation has the ability to harness collective wisdom, creativity, and commitment of employees and other stakeholders, which can lead to more successful and sustainable development.

Chiedza Kadare is an OD Practitioner. You can get in touch with her on WhatsApp/call +263 77 283 0986 or Email chiedza.kadare@gmail.com

Paul Nyausaru is an OD Practitioner and leadership coach. For all your OD interventions and leadership development training you can get in touch with him on WhatsApp/call +263774062756 or Email pnyausaru@gmail.com