Sparking a Culture of Creativity at Work

A culture of creativity can mean the difference between success and near-success in business. From the organizational side, innovation can lead to the design of new products, services, and ideas, that can give a company a competitive advantage. Creative employees are problem solvers, who can develop solutions that improve efficiency, cut down on errors, and save a firm time and money.

From the employee side, encouraging a culture of creativity improves employee satisfaction and engagement. When employees are asked to express their creativity and urged to think about company needs in a meaningful way, they are more likely to be invested in the company’s success. Awareness of how someone's work contributes to the whole of the company’s enterprise can build a more productive, fulfilled, and motivated work experience.

Here are some practical steps to foster your team’s creative mindset:

• Promote open communication and create formats for collecting ideas.

Use a suggestion box. Set aside time for “any other ideas” at the end of group meetings. Schedule brainstorming sessions. In general, cultivate speaking up and collaboration.

• Make time for inventive moments.

One of my clients promotes a "Brain Squeeze” — it's an hour a week devoted to idea generation. Employees can work on their own creative projects, upskilling, or take a stab at something the company has on its list, like updating the corporate Facebook page. The results aren’t graded — it’s the effort that counts. Other companies institute weekly “No-Meeting Zones” — where no meetings are scheduled, and emails and other interruptions can be ignored. 

• Embrace failure. Reward and recognize ideas, successful or not.

Innovators are willing to take risks, even if they might fail, if they can learn something from that failure and move forward. In Edison’s formulation: "I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that will not work.” Be as transparent as possible about why an idea was not acted upon and regardless, recognize the contribution with thanks. 

• Take an expansive definition of creativity.

The invention of the Chia Pet was a big, out-of-the-box idea that meant success for Joseph Enterprises 40 years ago, but minor changes can have a major impact on business operations, too. Adding a second and third payment method to the company website; better delineating the blocks that contain the delivery versus the billing address on a shipping label; sending a new employee material about the company (handbooks, insurance plans, etc.) in advance of their first day are small process improvements, but they are ones that can greatly improve customer satisfaction, cut down on errors, and improve employee engagement. 

• Provide resources and support.  

Make certain you provide employees access to technology, training programs, and other resources that they may need to grow their skills and bring their ideas to life.