Enhancing creativity in organizations is not an easy task. Firstly, because it takes more than just claiming how important creativity is for innovation. Secondly, creativity defies the status quo and not everyone is ready for that. Also, creativity is unpredictable. Creativity it’s not something we can teach or learn, however we can stimulate and enhance it within work environment.
We might say two types of organizations exist: one stuck in past, other looking to future. The first keeps using winner solutions already tested and used many times before; whereas the second seeks new solutions and constantly reinvents itself. The second type believes what we don’t know is more important than what we already know. Both types of organizations may survive, yet one is far more prepared to deal with present challenges, such as constant change and scientific and technological advances, than the other. In order to keep up with progress, organizations need to innovate.
For an organization to seek innovation, it needs to build an environment that encourages creativity. Organizational culture, mission, structure and practices, they all should be aligned and embedded with specific characteristics enabling employees to foster new ideas, new ways of thinking and doing things. For most organizations, this is clearly out of their comfort zone. But, as one says: “nothing ventured, nothing gained!” For innovation to happen new roads must be taken and that means facing the unknown and the possibility of failure.
In what way may work environment encourage creativity?
- Sending clear messages. Management should be clear in supporting creativity, meaning they actually value imagination, idea sharing, novelty, and development. Opposing to conformism and replication.
- Accepting mistakes. To reach “eureka”, employees need to feel confortable in trying new things and sharing eccentric ideas. Problems and failures are seen as opportunities to learn and move forward more efficiently.
- Allowing time to think. Bright ideas not always come in a flash of a second. Like exceptional and useful solutions, they need active thinking, in other words, thoughts and actions directed to idea development. Thinking is probably one of the most essential tasks at work; even in routine jobs we can always find ways to be more efficient.
- Focusing in the right question. The focus changes from the “right answer” to the “right question”. Looking for the right answer, not having stated the right question, keeps a lot of companies engaged in fruitless efforts. Exploring the problem allows the company to find new perspectives and eventually the right question to be addressed.
- Being open to change and risk. Walking towards what has never been done before is scary. It involves taking risks (we might not get it right at first time) and involves realizing things change. When we move into future some habits need to be replaced for new ones and we need to accept that what was once true and correct might not be anymore.
- Promoting communication. Fluid communication between colleagues allows idea sharing and growth. Fluid communication between employees and management avoids misunderstandings and guarantees that everyone is in the same page. Moreover, good communication lines allow faster action in dealing with problems and new challenges.
- Having enthusiastic leaders. Leaders who inspire their teams with meaningful and challenging objectives. Leaders who encourage their teams to dream, to think and to create. Also, leaders who understand the importance of enjoying work.
From what was said, we can understand why no consensus exists towards managing creativity in organizations. For some is still not clear the benefits creativity brings for business, but for others the real problem is that it creates a sense of losing control. Imagine this: you’re driving your car through a road you know well. A road leading you to your goal. But, suddenly, you have to stop. A giant rock is blocking your way. What to do? 1. Keep insisting in the same road, try to push the rock or wait for help. 2. Go and try another road, an unknown road, which could lead you to your goal or get you lost. What would you do?
Both options are valid and needed. The secret may hide in knowing when to use each one of them. Recognizing the time to be cautious and the time to take risks. Either way, no innovation is possible if we keep driving the same road, over and over again. We will see the same landscape and find the same solutions than before. In order to stand out and find novelty, new places must be discovered.
Work environments grounded with practices that enable creativity, they prepare its employees to face problems and challenges with open minds. Also, employees are trained to assess risk and consequences and then decide which road to take. But, how to get here?
Each company should assess and draw its own way towards innovation. There is no right answer or single path. However, there is a common strength leading each step forward –> Creativity.
No comments:
Post a Comment