Government is probably not something that comes to mind when you think of innovation, but at the local level, you will find cities and counties that recognize that the solutions to today’s challenges and the path to tomorrow’s opportunities cannot be found in yesterday’s ideas. The City of Alpharetta, Georgia is a leader among this group that is approaching each day with a burning desire to exceed expectations and achieve surprising results.
Creating an innovation environment in government begins with hiring people who have what we refer to as “curious minds.” In the simplest terms, a person with a curious mind is someone who constantly seeks to learn what they do not know. They believe that there is a solution to every problem or challenge, and if they have identified one, they believe that a better answer is out there and they have a need to find it. Curious minds never encounter things they do not understand, only things they have not learned about yet.
Next, make certain that every member of your team understands your organization’s why and what. Why does the City of Alpharetta exist? To make a positive difference in our community while exceeding the expectations of our citizens. What do we do? We efficiently manage public resources, provide effective services, and connect and lead our citizens.
Finally, give those curious minds the freedom to strip away unnecessary rules and limitations so they can focus on achieving goals and positive outcomes. We cannot fulfill our “why” or deliver on our “what” if we get bogged down by bureaucracy, red tape, or “how we’ve always done it.” If an opportunity or action will positively impact our community and citizens and is neither illegal nor unethical, it should be explored. If it is the best opportunity or action we can identify, it should be pursued with passion.
That’s it. Three simple but essential elements that allow the City of Alpharetta to bring innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset to local government. Hire curious minds. Focus them on our why and what. Unshackle them from unnecessary rules. That approach has enabled Alpharetta to achieve impressive results, do it quickly, and sustain our success.
While a relatively small community, Alpharetta has come to be known nationally as an economic hub, a center for the technology industry, a top place to live and raise a family, and a city that consistently makes big things happen.
Each year, cities from across the country send delegations to Alpharetta to see the results we have achieved and learn how we do it. They ask questions about local ordinances, the tools we use, our financial policies, strategic plans, and more. All of that is important but has little value without the foundation on which it rests.
Challenging curious minds to achieve amazing results and exceed expectations, that is what we call “The Alpharetta Way.” That is our key to innovation.
