Ever pondered what separates the high-flyers from the strugglers in leadership?

Imagine this: Booking.com a bigwig in the travel game, wasn’t always at the summit. But in December 2017, something gutsy went down. The design director pitched a bold experiment—a total overhaul of the company’s homepage. Instead of overwhelming users with myriad options, they boiled it down to just three: accommodations, flights, and rental cars. Risky move, right? Gillian Tans, the CEO back then, was doubtful. But guess what? They went for it anyway. Why? Because Booking .com thrives on experimentation.

Booking .com isn’t the only player in this experimentation revolution. Digital behemoths like Amazon, Google, and Facebook swear by it. But here’s the kicker: it’s not just for the big shots. Even companies like FedEx and State Farm are jumping on the experimentation bandwagon.

So, why all the hullabaloo about experimentation? Well, let me simplify it for you:

1. Growth Surge: Think of experimentation as the magic potion for your leadership skills. When you try new things, you grow. Plain and simple. Whether it’s tweaking your team’s workflow or testing out a fresh communication strategy, every experiment is a chance to level up.

2. Add Some Zest: Picture leadership as a dish. Without experimentation, it’s like eating plain toast every day—dull and uninspiring. But sprinkle in some experimentation, and suddenly you’ve got a gourmet feast. It keeps things lively and keeps your team craving more.

3. Embrace Mistakes: Here’s a secret: failure isn’t the end-all-be-all. In fact, it’s your best pal on the journey to success. Thomas Edison didn’t invent the lightbulb on his first go, did he? Nope. He failed a thousand times before he cracked it. So don’t let fear hold you back. Embrace those blunders, learn from them, and keep pushing ahead.

Alright, experimenting sounds grand and all, but how do you actually do it? Here’s the rundown:

1. Set Clear Goals: Before you dive into the experimentation jungle, know what you’re aiming for. Whether it’s boosting team morale or ramping up productivity, having clear goals will keep you on track.

2. Involve Your Team: Remember, you’re not flying solo. Get your team involved. Encourage them to toss in their ideas and be open to feedback. After all, the best experiments are a team effort.

3. Start Small: Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are great leadership skills. Begin with bite-sized experiments and work your way up. Test out new ideas, see what sticks, and build from there.

4. Embrace the Flops: When things don’t go as planned (and trust me, they won’t always), don’t sweat it. Failure is just a stepping stone on the path to success. Take it in stride, learn from it, and keep forging ahead.

But hey, I’ve got tools for you! Introducing the Six-Step Leadership Experiment Canvas—a nifty tool to help you build and design your experiments. With clear steps and prompts, this canvas will guide you through the experimentation process, from setting goals to analyzing results.

And that’s not all! Once you’ve dipped your toes into the world of experimentation, you’ll need a roadmap to maintain the momentum. Enter the Six-Step Leadership Blueprint. It’s not a one-and-done deal—it’s a tool to build and multiply experiments, ensuring that innovation becomes second nature in your organization.

Alright, future leader, you’ve got the tools, now go out there and start experimenting! Who knows, you might just stumble upon the secret sauce to leadership greatness.