What do we mean by creativity and innovation in the workplace?
Our mindset when it comes to creativity might be biased by a vision of life-changing ideas and innovations that change the world. The reality is that creativity in the workplace does not always mean thinking outside the box. It may be the simple act of changing a process, addressing a roadblock in a project or tweaking a value proposition. Innovation is not restricted to certain types of organisations. It is part of a company’s growth and allows it to evolve with its time. The COVID-19 pandemic, as an example, has forced a lot of businesses to be creative and find new ways of working. With this change, organisations have shifted their culture, they have had to adapt and display creativity to thrive through rough times.
Why are creativity and innovation important in the workplace?
Without change, any organisation is set up to fail. Being creative, and the innovation that results from it, is a way for companies to evolve and continue to be competitive by working more efficiently. In the section below, we highlight some reasons why creativity and innovation in the workplace are essential:
They promote teamwork
“The more the merrier” applies to creativity. When team members work together, they inspire each other. Encouraging employees to find solutions together, and asking them to innovate and be creative, will naturally influence their work as a team. Through collaboration, they learn together, challenge each other and learn from each other. Even though an innovative idea might come from an individual, the final output and the product that will come from it is moulded by a team of individuals who worked together.
They influence employee retention rate
Allowing or even encouraging creativity means that employees have the freedom to experiment. They can express themselves, challenge the status quo and share ideas. With this, they feel more freedom and ownership. As such, creativity and innovation management have a direct influence on employee retention rate. For more information on employee retention, check our article with 9 effective employee retention strategies here.
They intensify problem-solving capabilities
Narrow vision rarely leads to long-term innovation. By being creative and thinking outside the box, employees are more likely to solve problems effectively and for the long term. When encouraged by leaders and by the company culture, the eagerness to solve problems intensifies. If businesses are able to support it, this compounding effect will place the business in a fast-paced innovation environment which will place them ahead of the competition.
They challenge the status quo
Humans have thrived on the planet thanks to the innovations they created along the way. Challenging the existing to create the new is not always an easy task and might be challenged by those reluctant to change. It is nonetheless essential for the survival of the organisation in the long term. “We have always done it this way” should have no place in the thought process of a business looking to evolve.
They implement a long-term vision
We often forget to see the bigger picture and tend to be tangled in individual challenges. Creative and innovative staff are able to take a step back and have a long-term vision. Creativity management should encourage these individuals and value them. They can focus on the bigger picture.
They positively impact emotional engagement
Humans have emotions. At work, these can have a deep influence on the work delivered by employees. Those who feel valued and heard will be more motivated and thrive in their role. Empowering employees to be creative and to innovate will make for an energised workforce.
They promote accountability and ownership
Businesses who promote accountability and ownership with their employees harness creativity and innovation. With such a company culture, they nurture innovation. Staff are able to see their ideas materialise and may be able to see a project through to completion.
They allow the freedom to fail
Failing is a big part of learning. Many innovations are the result of thousands of fails prior to achieving a finished product or solution. These fails are learning experiences and should be seen as such. By letting teams fail, leaders promote an environment of learning and development that will eventually lead to a successful outcome.
Creativity and innovation have multiple benefits for organisations. They generate curiosity, development, accountability and motivation. Creativity should be encouraged as part of the company culture.
Ways to promote creativity and innovation for employers
The importance of creativity and innovation in the business environment is undeniable. But how should companies promote it? What tools can they use to encourage their staff to be creative? We answer these questions in the section below by exploring ways employers can promote creativity and innovation.
Encourage teamwork
Getting people to work together often has a direct impact on creativity and innovation. Working in a group avoids silos and ensures efficiencies. Collaboration will increase the knowledge of those working together. When the collaboration is across departments, it has a deeper effect as employees gain an understanding of the functioning of the business as a whole. It opens their vision and will naturally lead to innovation. Check out our article that provides three exercises for team building you can try this week here.
Utilise office design
The layout of modern offices is the result of studies, architectural work and analysis on collaboration. Having a workspace that encourages collaboration and even innovation by the way it is set up will have a direct effect on employee collaboration. It lifts a barrier and creates a path for creative thinking.
Avoid micromanagement and provide freedom in ways of working
We all work differently. Providing flexibility in ways of working will allow for more efficiencies. As an example, changing the environment in which employees work might stimulates creativity. Some leaders have adopted walking one-to-one meetings with their team members or discussions at the local coffee shop. Expanding the ways of working and ensuring that staff have flexibility and freedom to do things their way is essential for an innovative environment.
Encourage knowledge sharing
Knowledge sharing is essential in all businesses. It is what leads young or junior workers to promotions. It also results in business continuity. Companies can implement techniques to promote knowledge sharing and make it a large part of their company culture. Having the appropriate knowledge management platform is a must. Lunch-and-learn sessions can also be one of these solutions, as can pairing systems. Collaboration will be stimulated by techniques that encourage knowledge sharing.
Boost self-reflection or team reflection
Wanting the work done at all costs is a quality. Employees might be focussed on their work, particularly in periods when there is a high workload. However, having tunnel vision so that they cannot see what is happening around them might actually reduce their accomplishment. Leaders should challenge employees who are too focussed and not aware of what is happening around them. Encouraging them to self-reflect, reflect on their tasks and the way they are delivering them might generate new ways of working, sometimes even lift some tasks and reduce the workload.
Be supportive of innovative initiatives
Saying “no” sends a negative message that will stop employees from expressing themselves in the future. We encourage leaders to be supportive and to allow their teams to take the risk. By being receptive to suggestions and new ideas, leaders will open the space for employees to express themselves and share ideas that could be life changing for the business.
Promote diversity and inclusion
Diversity and inclusion are big topics, and rightly so. Diversity makes for richer environments, where perspectives and insights are varied. Having a clear diversity and inclusion strategy in the business will positively influence creativity and innovation. Check our article on promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace here.
There are many ways that businesses can encourage and promote creativity and innovation in the workplace. Creativity management is to be taught to leaders and constantly invigorated by the company culture. In the long run, it will make for more efficient ways of working, a healthy work environment and many other benefits.
