You read it everywhere, the search for innovation starts with engaging employees. From the  middlemanager down, we try to encourage creativity, ignite individuals’ spark of ingenuity that provides an organization that “ahha” moment.

How to serve our citizens better? How to do more with less? How to reevaluate what services we are providing and how we provide them?

James Svara and Karen Thoreson in September’s edition of ICMA’s Academic Matters write that “A
foundation of innovation in local government is getting staff members engaged in the process….

Staff members at all levels in an organization have unique perspectives on fi nding new ways to do their work, and the work of their teams, and getting better results.”

With that in mind, look at your organization’s current job openings. Along with years of experience and education requirements, does your organization say that it’s looking for a savvy high performer who is ready to unleash their creative genius to better the organization and impact the world?

Most likely not, and at its worst, as Gordon MacKensie writes in Orbiting the Giant Hairball, we create boxes called job descriptions…”intended to make you accountable and containable.” Has our life’s work really been reduced to just knowledge, skills, and abilities?

So we thought we would share with you a few examples of how companies who are not only thought of as leaders in innovation, but have a waiting list of people wanting to work in their coveted halls, are recruiting these innovative, high-performing individuals.

Google publishes a Top 10 List of reasons to work for the company: (https://www.google.com/intl/en/jobs/)
1. Lend a helping hand. With millions of visitors every month, Google has become an essential part of everyday life - like a good friend - connecting people with the information they need to live great lives.

2. Life is beautiful. Being a part of something that matters and working on products in which you can believe is remarkably fulfilling.

3. Appreciation is the best motivation. So we’ve created a fun and inspiring workspace you’ll be glad to be a part of, including on-site doctor and dentist; massage and yoga; professional development opportunities; shoreline running trails; and plenty of snacks to get you through the day.

4. Work and play are not mutually exclusive. It is possible to code and pass the puck at the same time.

5. We love our employees, and we want them to know it. Google off ers a variety of benefits, including a choice of medical programs, companymatched 401(k), stock options, maternity and paternity leave, and much more.

6. Innovation is our bloodline. Even the best technology can be improved. We see endless opportunity to create even more relevant, more useful, and faster products for our users. Google is the technology leader in organizing the world’s information.

7. Good company everywhere you look. Googlers range from former neurosurgeons, CEOs, and U.S.  puzzle champions to alligator wrestlers and Marines. No matter what their backgrounds Googlers make for interesting cube mates.

8. Uniting the world, one user at a time. People in every country and every language use our products. As such we think, act, and work globally - just our little contribution to making the world a better place.

9. Boldly go where no one has gone before. There are hundreds of challenges yet to solve. Your creative ideas matter here and are worth exploring. You’ll have the opportunity to develop innovative new products that millions of people will find useful.

10. There is such a thing as a free lunch after all. In fact we have them every day: healthy, yummy, and
made with love.

Google’s job description for an accountant also looks something like this: “Consisting of experienced, motivated, creative, self-sufficient, and savvy high performers in the finance and accounting fields, our team handles the core accounting roles at Google. We have a preference for those who like to work and play hard and who are enthused about working on collaborative global teams, while performing M&A,
external reporting, and internal audit functions.”

They conclude with a quote from Larry Page, Google Co-founder, “We don’t just want you to have a great job. We want you to have a great life. We provide you with everything you need to be productive and happy on and off the clock.”

Additionally, Google recruits students entering the workforce with messages like “Do more. A lot more. At Google, our world is fl at. When everyone in the company is reaching out, not up, good ideas can go a lot farther. How far will you go?”

Other examples include Microsoft inviting potential recruits to “jump right in to the deep end” indicating that
from day one, new employees will be placed on meaningful projects( www.miscrosoft.com), and Cisco, which has created a search field on its job opportunities webpage to “find your dream job” (www.cisco.com).

These examples represent just a few ideas on how private sector companies are recruiting some of
the most creative, innovative, and high performing individuals to lead innovation in their organizations.

Consider what we in local government or you in your own organization can do to invite creative, innovative, high-performing minds into public service? The opportunities are limitless!