Looking for Creativity in Hiring

I recently heard an interview question on a replay of an old podcast and it got me thinking. The question was, “Do companies hire creative people?” The expert said “No, they do not.” This question was specific to entry level/non managerial type of roles.

His reasons were interesting and as you read, I challenge you to question who you hire for these types of positions. Specifically, do you look for the creativity trait in that person?

Most companies do not hire creative people for entry level/non managerial type roles because they want “worker bees”. People who are just going to do what they are told. Make 100 phone calls, produce this widget, follow the script and procedures for your role. DO NOT DARE THINK OUT OF THE BOX.

Creativity people are more difficult to manage. They ask questions; better yet they will question you. Think of that little child who keeps asking you “WHY, but WHY Mom/Dad, but why why why???” Are you strong enough as a leader to face that questioning daily and actually embrace it, need it, foster a culture where it is the norm to always question what we are doing and then create a better solution?

To be fair, this was an older interview, and today I believe companies have shifted a little, but not nearly enough.

It takes a strong company and leader to hire a creative type. In every role: accountant, sales, operations, production, etc there needs to be a creative component to it. Creativity breeds ingenuity. How do we do this better instead of how we have done it the last 5 years? 100 years? How do we improve our process?

A noncreative person just does what they are told. They are great at “show me the steps and process and repeat repeat repeat” with great competency.

The problem is that does not propel your company into the future. You will not evolve and grow. In the end your company will die off and become irrelevant. We do not just need creative leaders.

We need creativity in all levels of our organizations.

Leadership is about growth; specifically growing your people. Now, some people are not very creative so how do you teach them to be?

Simply, build a culture where you empower them to ask. The more they ask, and the more you respond with something like, “That is a great question. What do you think we can do to improve this process?” This will build the creativity muscle for them. Have regular strategy sessions with your teams where you set the agenda to pick apart one or two of the things your company does. A process, a script, a design and more. Come in and start with every one sharing what they think the future can/should look like. Then ask:

-?????????How does your current company look compared to that?

-?????????How do we build the bridge to span the gap of your current state to the desired and better future state?

So, how do we make sure we hire people who can and are creative? Try this, in your next interview of a candidate ask them:

1)?????What does creativity mean to you for this role?

2)?????Give me one example of creativity in a previous role or even a personal example in your life?

3)?????Do you consider yourself a creative person?

Be bold! Encourage creativity and growth! Encourage everyone to question.