“Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people” – Leo Burnett
Many people see the word creativity and think it is synonymous with childhood or artistry. Creativity is more than imaginary friends and painting, though. Thinking, planning, collaborating, and conversing can all be done creatively with amazing results. In a workplace, creativity is vital to keeping projects and goals fresh and exciting.
You probably witness creativity at work more than you think. For example, when someone proposes a new project and states, “I don’t know if this will work, but…” they are using creative thinking. They are unsure of the outcome, but are curious to see if their new idea would be beneficial to whatever is being planned. Here are some other ways creativity is useful in the workplace:
Flexibility
Juggling a schedule can be difficult, especially if you have to coordinate a meeting or event with other people. Creativity is used to picture the schedule and imagine what is manageable to change. Perhaps it means joining two meetings that are similar in topic to create a power session. The possibilities are endless, and it is likely that you use this creative skill dozens of times during a day without realizing it.
Solving Problems
Thinking creatively allows you to look at a problem from perspectives outside of your own. Say you have a client who is upset with a product they purchased from your company. Thinking about their life and the context of your product within their life can help you better understand how to help them. Creative thinking is especially useful for entrepreneurs who are developing products. They need to constantly seek out new and fresh concepts that fill customer needs and that takes a lot of creative thinking!
Motivation
Opening up a workspace to allow for creative thinking can spur incredible new ideas for projects, but also create a happier environment for employees. Implementing incremental brainstorming meetings can help employees feel like they are really part of something and not just a cog in the machine. Additionally, when employees are happy with their work, they will often work harder and are more dedicated.
It’s likely that there is already a wealth of creativity in your workspace. The key is to tap into it. Creativity as a cornerstone of a business invites a wealth of innovation, so make it known to your employees how useful creativity can be!