Creativity Thrives in an Incubator

Published: Jan 6, 2005

Application

Creative ideas are similar to other growing things - plants, babies and human relationships. They require certain ingredients, environments and nurturing in order to achieve growth and health development. You will harvest greater creativity when you establish fertile conditions in your workplace.

Rather than asking selected individuals for a creative idea or solution for a specific problem, provide a creative atmosphere throughout your entire organization. Continually prompt all your associates with such challenges as; "What business are we in," or "Should we change our direction," or "What are we good at doing," or "How can we improve the way we operate?" Operate under the slogan, "The worker knows best."
Organize, anticipate and support activities to remove time pressures as much as possible. Set interim objectives to relieve the pressure of final deadlines. Avoid crises by having contingency plans for probable eventualities. In other words, allow more time for gestation and idea development. This concept that people are more creative when working under pressure is hogwash. Count Uncle Max among those who used to believe that was true.
Instead of relying exclusively on bonuses and pay raises, add more opportunities for more individuals to:
- contribute to goal setting,
- input ideas,
- witness each person's added value to group efforts,
- receive recognition and,
- make the workplace a happier place to work.
Develop intrinsic motivation by having every person turned on by their work. Even bookkeepers can be excited over having neat records that are accurate, well displayed with appropriate disclosure, timely and efficiently produced. Joy and love are better than fear and anxiety. Happiness begets creativity. Allow people to freely engage in work they love.
Collaboration is better than competition.
The fear and uncertainty associated with downsizing kills creativity. Try your best to mitigate when cutting back becomes inevitable. The need for creative thinking is greatest during the hard times.

Stories

Do you have a story that relates to this maxim?

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Outcomes

People happier in their work.
More and better creative solutions.
Greater productivity and profitability.

Creativity Thrives in an Incubator

Application

Stories

Outcomes

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