How to create a culture of innovation and creativity
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Innovation and creativity are hallmarks of a great organization. They know what they do well, think about what to do next, and then innovate to get there. It's not always easy. Sometimes, you stumble and struggle along the way. You may even wonder why you desired to be considered innovative and creative.
I think about this even as I type these words. I think about what I need to do to innovate and inspire you. Sometimes, it's easy to be creative. Here are a few ideas that I've found can transfer over to business and life.
#1 Foster a culture of learning
How do I continue to create and move forward? I never stop learning. I look for ideas and inspiration in emails, movies, other people, and more.
You have to foster a culture of learning if you want a culture of innovation and creativity.
The more people are learning in your organization, the more they're growing. They're seeing things in a new light. They're looking for ways to apply what they're learning.
Help your team learn.
#2 Get feedback
I see a lot of leaders saying you have to create a shared workspace or an open office to breed creativity. They say an open office will allow team members to brainstorm, create relationships, and grow together.
When you talk to the people in the shared workspace, you discover it's the complete opposite. They're disgruntled because there's little to no privacy, conversations can be heard throughout the office, and they feel that if they should be in a shared office, so should leadership (which rarely happens).
Seek out feedback from your team. Find out whether they would like an open office setup, private office, or hybrid work. You'll discover their needs and then can work to create the culture of creativity that you desire.
Remember, if your team can't concentrate and focus on their work, they won't be able to create their best work. Get feedback on what works for them.
#3 Create free-flowing information
Too many organizations horde their information. Department A doesn't know what Department B does. There's no communication between the two. Thus, there's no exchange of ideas.
Bridge the communication gap within the organization. Find ways to get your team members to share their information with other departments and leaders.
The more information is shared, the more creativity can be sparked. All it takes is one insight from another department to revolutionize your organization.
#4 Be generous in rewarding innovation
If you want more innovation, you have to be willing to reward innovation. The rewards don't have to be a raise. They can be as simple as a catered lunch, a well-written thank you note or complimentary tickets to their favorite concert.
Look for ways to reward innovation and creativity when you see it happen. As people begin to realize others are paying attention, they'll start to seek out ways to innovate and create.
 | Joseph Lalonde is an award-winning leadership blogger and hosted the Answers From Leadership podcast. He desires to see 20-somethings step into their God-ordained roles as leaders. Previously, on the E3 staff and currently serving in the Catalyst youth ministry of Gateway Church, Joseph has mentored many students and has seen their lives changed through this teaching. His mission is to help equip leaders with the knowledge and information to boost their leadership to the next level. This article was first published on JMLalonde.com. Used with permission Learn More » |
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