How can nursing leaders promote cross-functional creativity?

1 Foster a culture of curiosity

One of the key drivers of creativity is curiosity, the desire to learn, explore, and discover new things. Nursing leaders can foster a culture of curiosity by encouraging their staff to ask questions, seek feedback, and challenge assumptions. They can also provide opportunities for their staff to learn from other departments, specialties, or external sources, such as conferences, webinars, or mentors. By creating a learning environment, nursing leaders can stimulate the intellectual curiosity and the creative potential of their staff.

2 Support risk-taking and experimentation

Another important factor for creativity is risk-taking, the willingness to try new things, make mistakes, and learn from failures. Nursing leaders can support risk-taking and experimentation by creating a safe and supportive climate where staff can share their ideas, test their hypotheses, and receive constructive feedback. They can also recognize and reward the efforts and contributions of their staff, regardless of the outcomes. By doing so, nursing leaders can reduce the fear of failure and the resistance to change that can hinder creativity.

3 Facilitate cross-functional collaboration

A third essential element for creativity is cross-functional collaboration, the process of working with people from different backgrounds, disciplines, or roles. Nursing leaders can facilitate cross-functional collaboration by breaking down the silos and barriers that can limit communication, information sharing, and problem solving. They can also create diverse and inclusive teams that can leverage the different skills, knowledge, and perspectives of their members. By doing so, nursing leaders can enhance the creativity and the innovation of their staff.

4 Model creative behavior

A fourth influential factor for creativity is modeling, the process of observing and imitating the behavior of others. Nursing leaders can model creative behavior by demonstrating their own curiosity, risk-taking, experimentation, and collaboration. They can also share their own creative processes, challenges, and successes with their staff. By doing so, nursing leaders can inspire and motivate their staff to emulate their creative behavior and develop their own creative skills.

5 Provide resources and support

A fifth crucial component for creativity is resources and support, the availability and accessibility of the tools, time, and assistance that can facilitate creative work. Nursing leaders can provide resources and support by allocating adequate budgets, equipment, space, and time for their staff to pursue their creative projects. They can also offer coaching, mentoring, or training to help their staff develop their creative skills and overcome their challenges. By doing so, nursing leaders can enable and empower their staff to achieve their creative goals.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?