Six Questions and Five Strategies Leaders Should Ask to Boost Creativity at Work

How do you know if your workplace is “creative”? ?? You don’t need to be Steven Spielberg or Frida Kahlo to cultivate a culture of creativity amongst your team. Creativity is ranked as the number one factor for future business success, above management, integrity, and vision. When creativity is present at work, leaders are more comfortable with ambiguity, a trait that is rewarded in today’s changing world. To summarize the research my team and I have done thus far on the topic, creativity requires time and ‘brain space’ to result in the best ideas that lead to innovation and solve problems. ??

Cultivating creativity requires consistent continuous attention effort, an open mindset, and an understanding that you’re not going to always get it right on the first try. In our latest episode of Drink From the Well, I uncover a wealth of data on the benefits of creativity in the workplace, along with my expert guests, Dr. Minette Riordan and Katherine Torrini. ??

Having a more creative team starts with your leadership. Here are 6 questions for you to reflect upon to boost your own creativity at work, and here is a full Discussion Guide for you and your team on this topic, no opt-in required. ??

1. Do you encourage and support creativity within your team? What specific actions have you implemented?
2. Are there any barriers or obstacles that may hinder creativity in your workplace? If so, how do you address them?
3. How do you recognize and appreciate creative ideas or solutions from your employees?
4. Do you allocate time and resources to pursue your own creative projects or interests?
5. Do you provide the same opportunities for your team members to do the same?
6. How do you ensure that diverse perspectives are included and valued in the creative process?

Those questions are meant to be informing rather than overwhelming, because an important part of creativity is the iteration process. If you’re looking for next steps to boost your creative leadership, take a look at the five strategies in the next section to guide you in promoting creativity in the workplace. ??

1. Schedule Time for Creative Work ??

One of the key ways to promote creativity is to set aside specific time for it. This could be in the form of regular brainstorming sessions or "innovation hours" where employees are encouraged to work on their own creative projects. This dedicated time signals to employees that creativity is valued and encouraged.

2. Share Hobbies ??

Encouraging employees to share their hobbies and interests can also foster creativity. This can be done through team-building activities, hobby clubs, or simply creating a space where employees can display or talk about their hobbies. This can spark new ideas and perspectives that can be applied to work-related challenges.

3. Play the "What-If" Game ??

This is a brainstorming technique where team members propose various "what if" scenarios. For example, "What if we had unlimited budget?" or "What if we could redesign our product from scratch?" These hypothetical scenarios can help to break down mental barriers and encourage out-of-the-box thinking.

4. Make the Process Visual ???

Visual aids can be a powerful tool for promoting creativity. This could involve using mind maps or other visual tools during brainstorming sessions. Graphic recording of notes for meetings, like the example by Katherine Torrini below, is also a useful way to capture insights and make reviewing notes more effective and even pleasurable. Some companies also use "idea walls" where employees can post their ideas on sticky notes. This not only makes the creative process more engaging, but it also allows for easy collaboration and idea sharing.

5. Encourage a Culture of Spaciousness ??

This refers to creating an environment where employees have permission to create the mental space to think creatively. This could involve eliminating unnecessary meetings, extending deadlines, or simply encouraging employees to take regular breaks. A more relaxed and less stressful environment is more conducive to creativity, not to mention overall productivity and wellness.

What other strategies does your company find effective??? Share your answers in the comments and we may feature your ideas and suggestions for creativity in our follow-up social media or articles. We want to hear about your creative journeys and visions for your workplace. ???

Don’t forget to listen to the latest episode of Drink From The Well AND find exclusive bonus material like our Discussion Guide for Leaders at DrinkFromTheWellPodcast.com.