Creativity has historically been a word used to describe a necessary mindset of the painters, sculptors, poets and writers of the world. The visual artists and novelists who have been photographed looking into the distance – as if they were seeing everything and nothing– represent a mere fraction of creative people who exist in the world.
Creativity is around every corner. It exists within the barista who makes designs in cappuccinos and the builder who cannot help but add that extra little artistic touch that some might not ever notice, but he will always know it is there. Creativity exists in crisis negotiators as they generate strategies and options. It exists within educators as they make lesson plans to mold young minds. Creativity is alive and well in medicine, dentistry and orthodontics. It dwells within the mother who makes Mickey Mouse pancakes for her children and the father who shows his kids a better way to throw a baseball and a different batting stance.
There are myriad examples of creativity and how it touches our lives every single day. That artistic flair, the ability to think outside the box – these are the things that make being human beautiful. And yes, creativity exists within office buildings, in corporations, in cubicles and in home offices. Still, for as prevalent as it is within our daily lives, there are some people who stifle their creative drives, who silence their inner spirit, who resist sharing their unique ideas.
The benefits of creative living and the respectful exchange of ideas cannot be overstated – either in business or in personal lives. Any business and any person that is facing challenges, as many are in light of the pandemic, should be receptive to ideas generated by others. And if those ideas are stifled within organizations, then owners and managers must find ways to encourage the exchange of ideas. This act alone can help breathe new life into companies.
Creativity can generate such impressive results within companies that Forbes and Harvard Business Review have both made it a topic of discussion.
“Cultivating a culture that inspires creativity isn’t reserved for disruptive, cutting-edge organizations. It’s essential for companies of all shapes and sizes and across all industries,” John Hall wrote in Forbes. “Without creativity, you aren’t well-positioned to adapt to new technologies, cater to changing consumer tastes, discover new opportunities, or maintain a competitive edge.”
Worse than that, he explained, is that it leaves team members feeling disengaged and unchallenged.
In his article, he outlines six ways to increase creativity within teams.
Companies should create stimulating work environments. While he noted that companies like Zappos took that to the extreme and allow all of their employees to design and decorate their workspaces however they please, it can also be done in smaller ways by bringing in plants, creating communal spaces with vivid colors and by creating libraries of inspirational books for employees to read if they so choose.
Whenever possible, he urges creative scheduling, noting that a 9-5 job can often prove stifling to productivity to some employees.
Managers should also encourage breaks, he said.
“Studies have found that if you want to be more creative, you need to schedule breaks. We’re not robots. Our brains need to stop what we’re doing so we can rest and recharge. During these breaks, you can go for a walk, self-reflect, read, doodle, or participate in team activities like brainstorming sessions, games, or volunteering,” he wrote.
A culture where people feel pressured to work nonstop does no one any good, he wrote. Breaks give people the space to develop solutions to problems and think of new approaches.
Diversity generates ideas – build a diverse team. It is important to have a team with different skills, strengths, opinions and backgrounds.
This is something that Dr. Vivek Cheba, a Calgary orthodontist, said has helped him create such a solid team.
“Everyone in my office has something unique to bring to the table. We are all different, which is something that helps my team. We are able to acknowledge our own strengths and weaknesses and those of our colleagues – and work together,” Vivek Cheba said.
Hall said it is important to only schedule meetings when they are absolutely necessary. Most meetings are unproductive, he noted, and most employees cringe at the thought of them because meetings take them away from important work. If meetings have to happen, he encourages walking meetings or meetings that take place outdoors, so they can also provide a bit of pleasant stress relief.
Failure is meant to be embraced. Hall pointed out that while it may seem counterintuitive and failing has never been pleasant, there is no greater way to learn and grow.
“Don’t be afraid to let your teammates experiment and try new things. If something doesn’t work, they can learn what went wrong and try again,” he wrote. “Who knows? The second time around, they may knock it out of the park.”
Creativity within teams is imperative for success, not a luxury. But getting the ball rolling is often easier than expected.
