Often we define an organization or an innovative company only because it operates in new sectors, or considered as such by the media. But it is a mistake because even in many ‘traditional’ sectors there are companies and organizations that make process, product or offer innovations. And behind all these innovations, there are women and men who love their work.
People who have made the African proverb to them “Whoever wants something seriously finds a way, others an excuse” and who know that true innovation is shared innovation capable of generating well-being for the community.
This interview is part of the Innovators column published on www.robertorace.com.
A space in which we try to tell the stories of the Innovators, to discover their ways of thinking, preferences and visions of the world. Trying to better understand what the present and the future hold for us.
———————– William Griffini: opportunities arise from change
“Change often frightens but, at the same time, increases, enriches and stimulates to constantly evolve and improve. If you don’t dare, you will never know if an idea will work or not. Having the audacity to innovate, question oneself, go further, but together. For me, people first of all! In fact, at Carter & Benson, you can breathe a climate every day in which the concept of team, collaboration, sharing and responsibility is strong “.
Truly believing in what you do by involving others towards the goal with a mix of passion, enthusiasm, overwhelming energy, courage and optimism. This is the approach that William Griffini has always had towards life and work.
Born in 1972, William Griffini began his first professional experience as a Consultant in an Executive and Middle Management Search company, of which he later became a Partner.
Since 2003, he has been CEO and Partner of Carter & Benson, a Milanese company leader in consulting and selection of managerial figures, part of the international network IMD International Search present in 24 countries around the world. The membership of Carter & Benson with IMD, an international selection organization among the top 20 worldwide, allows it to respond with global consulting solutions to the search requests of top managers by international companies.
In over 25 years of activity, he has gained a solid multisectoral experience that has allowed him to successfully conclude multiple research projects in different fields, working closely with complex and articulated companies.
For a precise entrepreneurial choice, he led Carter & Benson to be the first consulting company in Italy in which a smart & fair way of working was promoted, starting, in January 2020, a project that, breaking the mold, provides a four-hour reduction in working hours for all employees at the same salary. Tenacious innovator and convinced supporter of work-life balance, William Griffini has given rise to an unprecedented condition – based on time and the well-being of the person – which intends to encourage the team to express their best in terms of creativity, responsibility and innovation. Always attentive to social issues, he supports numerous initiatives and charities such as SOS il Telefono Azzurro Onlus, of which he is also a Director of the Steering Committee, and the National Association for the Protection of Childhood and Adolescence – ONLUS. Convinced promoter of Gender Equality, and Member of the Scientific Committee of the Winning Women Institute. Great investor in ideas and innovation, and also Vice President of the Centro Studi Grande Milano, an association that promotes and disseminates the idea and values of a larger, authoritative and comparable Milan with the various European and international metropolitan realities. Lover of sport in general, his greatest passion is the mountains in all its forms, which he shares with his children, friends and collaborators. and also Vice President of the Centro Studi Grande Milano, an association that promotes and disseminates the idea and values of a larger, authoritative and comparable Milan with the various European and international metropolitan realities. Lover of sport in general, his greatest passion is the mountains in all its forms, which he shares with his children, friends and collaborators. and also Vice President of the Centro Studi Grande Milano, an association that promotes and disseminates the idea and values of a larger, authoritative and comparable Milan with the various European and international metropolitan realities. Lover of sport in general, his greatest passion is the mountains in all its forms, which he shares with his children, friends and collaborators.D. Who is an innovator for you
Why
The Innovator is someone who has the courage to do things that others think are crazy. Doing something new and unknown creates fear because you cannot be sure that it will work. Fragments of lucid madness and foresight are definitely indispensable ingredients!
D. What is the innovation that will change the world in the next few years
If I knew … I would be rich! Seriously
Do not base your growth and success only on the chase of money and on the logic of bartering but strive for a constant search for responsible values. D. What is the role of a leader in an organization
The Leader, for me, must be able to respect everyone, at any level, lead by example and instill trust and credibility. Personally, I prefer to be listened to and actively followed by my team rather than “lead” through control. With us, trust and mutual esteem animate an exchange based on effective and effective interaction that promotes creativity and aims to develop the personal and professional potential and motivation of all team members. In fact, in Carter & Benson, the culture of the team and collaboration predominates over the classic pyramid structure: we really put our heart into what we do, regardless of the setbacks that may arise. I prefer to delegate and leave my collaborators free to act flexibly,
We strongly believe in human centricity, in the centrality of the person, of the individual. Each colleague is unique with their skills, experiences, aspirations and commitments. A concept that, here with us, we breathe every day and that positively contaminates the whole team. We equally believe in entrepreneurship, so every employee must be enabled to contribute as a co-entrepreneur to build a company that is a little better every day. We are sure that this is the secret of the success of a company that does not rest, does not stop, but that rides the wave of innovation with awareness and responsibility. D. A person who has left his mark on your life
My children. Because they have given and continue to make sense of my efforts and labors.D. Your greatest fear / your greatest hope
Not being able to protect the people I love and not being able to take care of them anymore.
My greatest hope
Always be able to do it! D. Your current and future work project.
Carry out the innovation process of Strategic Consulting activities and continue with my commitment as a Business Angel.
I love to put great energy into the development and improvement of those companies for which I see a successful future, in terms of growth, as a financial investment or for simple passion, making my personal contribution in terms of know-how and experience.
For some time, our broader design in the company has also embraced the well-being of people as a fundamental asset on which we have built our model of responsible entrepreneurship, constantly improving the conditions of work-life balance and aiming to increase autonomy, awareness and responsibility of the individual. , with a view to giving everyone the most precious resource, time for themselves.
The future project, perhaps more my dream …
To open a cabin in La Thuile !, I love the mountains in all its forms. My motto is “Fatigue makes more sense if you share it with friends”! D. The thing that excites you the most is the one that angers you most.
I am moved by the sweetness and delicacy, but also the intelligence, the courage, the passion of the people.
I get excited when someone who doesn’t owe you anything gives you.
They make me angry with stupidity and arrogance.
