My way or the better way !!

One of the principles that guides me in my work is the principle of "My way or the better way". I have repeated this to my peers, my reports, my bosses, my customers .... What I mean by this is that I love feedback on my ideas so that we can collectively make it better. I am not looking for the credit that it was my idea - why? Because our customers who are outside our building do not really care whose idea it is. I tell my colleagues and direct reports that either all of us are going to look like heroes if we collectively solve the customer's problems in the best possible way or look like a bunch of idiots in front of customers. Egos and credits as to who solved the problem does not matter from the customer's perspective. Customers are holding only your company as the responsible and accountable entity and not individual employees of the company.

I have encouraged my peers, my direct reports to constantly challenge my ideas or suggestions so that we can make sure we have looked at a problem from all perspectives and then designed the best possible solutions. All that matters is what "we" (not "I") have done for the customer.