A few years ago, many companies were glad to end the year with any growth at all. The question now is about how to grow smarter and grow faster at the same time.

Smart partnering is one of the answers. While some companies are partnering with others, the ultimate partners are our own people. You are the allies who come to work every day. You will be the key to our growth.

In his best-selling book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable, Patrick Lencioni says a team-based culture of connectedness is the secret. People must feel that their input is respected and rewarded. 

Building trust is one way to reach that goal. Team members have to feel free to admit what they don’t know, make mistakes, ask for help if they need it, apologize when necessary, and not hold back their opinions.

At Stanford University, they call this “internal corporate venturing.” It results in developing ideas that are the basis of growth.

Management professor Robert Burgelman is quoted in Business 2.0 as saying this process should not wait until a crisis occurs. Fostering great teamwork and innovation should be an ongoing strategy.

Do you agree with these writers on business operations? I hope you can use these plans to help your organization “throttle up” and grow.