So, you’ve got a big, shiny new project. It’s got potential, a budget, and you’re ready to make some magic happen. But I’m going to tell you something that might sting a little: you’re probably about to choose the wrong team.
We have all done it. Its time for the next big project and we instantly think of the team member that is on fire, the “usual suspects.” You know the ones—the star performer who’s already got a mountain of work, the loudest voice in the room, or worse the person you’re most comfortable with. It’s the path of least resistance, a warm, fuzzy blanket of familiarity. But that warm blanket is also a blindfold, keeping you from seeing the raw talent and untapped genius right under your nose.
Guess what your employees see it too. They “know” who gets picked for the cool projects and who gets left out. They see the same people getting all the opportunities. And while you’re busy congratulating yourself on assembling your A-Team, the rest of your organization is quietly picking up their phones, logging into Indeed, and polishing off their resumes.
This isn’t just a morale issue; it’s a business blunder. It’s how you can lose your best and brightest, not because they’re unhappy with their pay, but because they’re unhappy with being invisible. You are, quite literally, creating a turnover problem by accident.
It’s time to retire the old playbook. The world is moving too fast for us to be stuck in the same patterns. The brilliance you need to solve your next big challenge isn’t something you have to hire. It’s already in your organization, hiding in plain sight. You just need to create the right platform to find it.
I’m talking about getting smart with your team building. I’m talking about hosting an AI hackathon. Here’s why this is a game-changer for your business.
The Old Playbook is a Career-Killer for Everyone Else
When you default to the same people, you’re sending a clear message to the rest of your employees: “Your skills are not what we’re looking for.”
The “Loudest Voice” Fallacy: The most outspoken person in the room isn’t always the most innovative. By only listening to those who demand attention, you miss the quiet problem-solver, the deep thinker, or the person with a completely different perspective who could revolutionize your project.
The “Go-To” Burnout: Your star employee is amazing, but they’re not a genie with infinite wishes. Piling all the pressure on them leads to burnout, lower quality work, and a one-way ticket to them looking for a place that values balance. You’re also creating a bottleneck of talent and a company that can’t grow beyond its single superstar.
The Resume-Only Review: You look at a person’s job title and their core duties, and you make a decision based on that. But what about the person in the front office who built a website for her cousin’s business on the weekends? Or the accountant who’s a whiz with data visualization and has been teaching himself Python? You’re basing your evaluation and team selection off of who your employees were when they handed you their resume for the first time
Why a Hackathon Is Your Secret Weapon
An AI hackathon isn’t just a cool-sounding event; it’s a strategic tool designed to blow up the old playbook and give you a powerful new way to work.
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Uncover the Hidden MVPs of Your Team: This is your chance to see your people for who they really are. A hackathon provides a safe, structured, and exciting environment for your employees to show off their skills outside of their job descriptions. You will discover the receptionist who’s been building AI bots in her spare time, or the marketing coordinator with a hidden talent for data science. This isn’t about replacing people; it’s about seeing all their brilliance and giving it a seat at the table.
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Supercharge Your Team Collaboration: Hackathons break down the silos that divide your organization. They bring people from different departments together to solve real-world problems, forcing them to communicate, innovate, and build something amazing together. This is where the magic happens, and where your teams learn to trust each other’s expertise, no matter their title.
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Stop Turnover in Its Tracks: When you offer new opportunities and show your employees you’re invested in their growth, you’re not just building a product; you’re building a career path. A hackathon sends a clear message: “We see you. We value your potential. We’re investing in your growth.” This is how you retain your best and brightest—by showing them a future with your organization, a future where they are an essential part of the journey.
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Spark Innovation & Solve Real Business Problems: An AI hackathon is a focused, high-energy event where your teams can use AI to build real, tangible solutions to your actual problems. They’re not just brainstorming; they’re creating prototypes. Imagine a solution to automate your intake process, a chatbot to handle common customer queries, or a tool to help you analyze donor data more effectively, all born from a weekend of innovation.
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A Low-Stakes Exploration of AI’s True Potential: Diving into AI can feel daunting. A hackathon is a low-cost, low-risk way to explore the capabilities of AI in a controlled environment with your own team, before you make any major financial commitments. You get to see what’s possible, test new concepts, and get a feel for how AI can actually work for you, all while providing a rich, learning environment for your entire team.
The world is moving too fast to be held back by the same old habits. The brilliance you need to solve your next big challenge is already in your organization, hiding in plain sight. You just need to create the right platform to find it.
Are you ready to stop guessing and start discovering the full potential of your team? Are you ready to give every brilliant mind a seat at the table?
We’re on a mission to help organizations do exactly that. Don’t miss out on another great idea.
Sign up now to get an exclusive first look at how you can unlock your team’s hidden genius and build the future of your organization.
About the Author
NiKole Maxwell is a visionary force in digital transformation, guiding businesses through the intricate landscapes of emerging technologies. With two decades of pioneering experience, she empowers organizations to not just adapt, but to redefine their future with intelligent, automated solutions.