Participation is not just a “nice” thing to do for employees, it is a sound business strategy. Here’s how one senior executive put it: “Our work force will run through walls for you, if they perceive that we’re all in it together. Participation unleashes behaviors and passions that I think leaders sometimes miss by trying to look strong and omnipotent -- as if that is what a leader is all about. It isn’t. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about being open to other people contributing, providing their insights and offering diverse perspectives so that you get to the best decision, not just the leader’s decision.”