Giving Compass' Take:

• John Baldoni discusses the positive outcomes of the coronavirus, which is driving innovation, collaboration, and much-improved listening.

• How can we make sure to continue driving innovation forward throughout coronavirus response efforts? Why is it critical to listen to the suggestions of employees and other sectors for real impact during COVID-19 recovery?

• Read about why we must continue driving innovation to develop sustainable global health care during COVID-19.

Many companies and thousands of researchers are working on vaccines for COVID-19. Never before in the history of medical science have so many different teams, many from competing companies, come together to work for a common cause.

And academics from the University of Chicago Booth School have joined in. Not in the quest for a new therapy or a vaccine, but to present information to businesses about what they should be looking for in the future.

In short, things are changing so fast -- in health care, in economics, with regard to racial justice -- that leaders need information they can use now. Ideas presented cover the gamut of the faculty of the Booth school. For example, there were articles on economics, policy, markets, business and health care.

Of note to me are the articles on the societal impact of the pandemic on the workplace, the value of physical connections, and the impact of technology on well-being.

None of us know what will come next, but we know we must do something. Crisis provokes innovation. The challenge is for management to enable it to make it safe to try and try again. Here are a few action steps:

  • Create virtual town halls where employees are encouraged to come with ideas about a given issue.
  • Choose suggestions to be explored by individuals and teams.
  • Execute the best ideas and keep people apprised of their progress.
  • Follow up and evaluate successes.

Then rinse and repeat. Listen. Suggest. Execute. Evaluate. It is not rocket science, but it is a way to get employees engaged with the issues of the day and give them a voice in solving them.

Read the full article about how COVID-19 is driving innovation by John Baldoni at SmartBrief.