Here's how you can excel in your current role with innovative problem-solving approaches.

Curiosity drives innovation, a lesson I’ve learned as the youngest member of the administrative council in a University. I often ask probing questions about our quality assurance processes, challenging existing assumptions. This approach has led to significant improvements, such as enhancing accreditation procedures and streamlining assessments. However, it can be time-consuming and met with resistance from those used to the old ways. Embracing curiosity can uncover hidden opportunities, but it requires patience and persistence to see the benefits. In the end, curiosity fosters a culture of continuous improvement and helps us stay ahead in a constantly evolving academic environment.

In my role as head in quality assurance, brainstorming sessions without constraints have led to our best ideas for improving procedures. For example, during a meeting, we encouraged everyone to suggest ways to enhance our accreditation process, regardless of feasibility. This freedom led to innovative approaches we hadn’t considered. The downside is that not all ideas are practical, and sifting through them to find viable options can be overwhelming. Encouraging free ideation fosters creativity but requires a balanced approach to implement feasible solutions.

Testing is a MUST DO step. When you develop new systems or tech platforms, it's essential to "kick the tires" and test thoroughly. Beta testing is crucial—it involves putting the solution through its paces to identify any bugs, glitches, or bottlenecks. This process simulates real-life conditions, helping to uncover potential issues that might not be visible at the design stage. Encourage your team to try to break the system to see where it fails. This hands-on approach ensures the solution is robust, reliable, and ready for broader deployment. Testing not only refines the solution but also builds confidence in its effectiveness before a full-scale launch.

Continuous learning is vital in quality assurance. Staying updated with the latest trends in accreditation and assessment has helped us introduce more effective methods. For instance, integrating new evaluation technologies and methodologies significantly improved our processes and outcomes. On the downside, keeping up with constant changes can be exhausting and sometimes overwhelming, especially when balancing administrative duties and other responsibilities. The effort is worthwhile, though, as it keeps the institution adaptable and forward-thinking. Embracing continuous learning helps us maintain high standards and fosters a culture of excellence and innovation.

Effective collaboration has been a cornerstone of my work on quality assurance. When we launched a new accreditation initiative, bringing together diverse faculty perspectives enriched the project’s scope and effectiveness. Active listening and constructive feedback were essential to this process. The downside is that collaboration can sometimes lead to conflicts and slower decision-making processes due to differing opinions and approaches. Navigating these challenges requires strong facilitation skills and a focus on common goals to ensure productive outcomes. Effective collaboration leverages the collective expertise and creativity of the team, resulting in more comprehensive and innovative solutions.

Strategic reflection has been essential in my role, especially after implementing new quality assurance policies. Reflecting on both successes and failures has helped refine our approach and make necessary adjustments. For example, after a program accreditation, we analyzed feedback and made significant improvements the following year, enhancing the overall process. However, this reflection process can sometimes highlight uncomfortable truths and requires a willingness to adapt and change. Strategic reflection ensures continuous improvement but demands openness to change and critical self-assessment. It helps align our efforts with long-term goals and fosters a culture of excellence and accountability.

Diferencia??o Vivemos em velocidade, a maioria do tempo as pessoas est?o no passado ou no futuro, o estado presente precisa ser incentivado e a curiosidade é um caminho que prende a aten??o, porém para gerar curiosidade é preciso ter uma abordagem diferenciada. Utilize um framework de diferencia??o, ex: Problema = ideia criativa + diferencia??o Aplica??o prática: Problema: como vender mais pneu de carro em um auto Center? Ideia criativa: focar no benefício de um novo pneu, em como ele trará seguran?a para viajar em família, e o quanto é importante se planejar agora para garantir boas lembran?as nas férias. Diferencia??o: servi?os de assinatura, pneus inteligentes com sensores, servi?o móvel, experiência imersiva. Seja criativo!

Si tienes la idea de sobresalir desde el primer momento, estarás en el buen camino. La creatividad es así: se trata de ser diferente, de ser impactante, de sorprender y eso implica sobresalir. Tenlo en cuenta siempre que te enfrentes a un proceso creativo. Tenemos la oportunidad de sobresalir y debemos aprovecharla.