The Finnish company Vincit, which I visited while researching inspiring workplaces in Finland a few years ago, has a very popular employee program. Once a month they make one employee CEO for a full day. The employee is given an unlimited budget with one stipulation: They must make one change that will have a lasting impact on the workplace. They might change a policy or purchase something for the company - anything goes. 

Now, I know what you're thinking...most likely something along the lines of "HA!". Besides the obvious thought that your workplace will never go for something like that for a gazillion reasons, you might also be thinking, "But, how does that work? Don't employees order a fleet of company jet packs for everyone? Or change the policy so that people only work 2 hours a day?"

Of course not. Why? Because Vincit invests in getting their hiring and training right. They instill strong core values that everyone lives by. And most importantly, they trust their employees to be responsible adults and have the best interests of the company and everyone at heart - after all, as CEO for a day you are still accountable to the people you work with every day.

So, if you can't do this, could you at least try this at your department or team level? Or how about a "Big Cheese for the Day" contest where you solicit ideas from employees and everyone votes on the best one? Or use this question as a meeting icebreaker? Or can you at least use this idea as a reminder of the workplace culture you need to work towards - where trust, open and honest communication, and input from employees are core values in your workplace culture? 

(On a side note, every workplace I visited in Finland had a sauna. And yes, they hold some meetings in their sauna. And no, I don't know if those meetings get extra heated or not.)