One Calendar with Social Networking PowersCreating Cultures of Innovation for Business
A recent poll from IBM unveiled some interesting stats about the modern business landscape. When 1,500 CEOs were polled across 60 countries it was found that:
* Creativity was rated the most sought after leadership skill
* According to 80% business success demands new ways of thinking
* Less than 50% believe their companies can deal with this complex business environment
However, the Harvard Business Review shared six secrets to creating a culture of innovation that they believe businesses must make in order to deal with the shifting business landscape:
1. Meet needs
What do you employees need to perform at their very best? Are their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs being met at work? If staff is preoccupied by unsatisfied needs it should be no secret that they’ll bring less energy and drive to work. Why not let your employees design their days as they see fit? The nitty-gritty details shouldn’t matter if they are performing effectively and getting work done on time.
2. Teach the systematic approach to creativity
Betty Edward’s book Drawing on the Artist Within describes the five stages of creative thinking: first insight, saturation, incubation, illumination, and verification. Understand this rough roadmap for engaging the entire brain in the thinking process—both the analytic left side and the big-picture right side—to effectively solve problems.
3. Nurture passion
When people are assigned tasks that they aren’t passionate about it kills their creativity. Those encouraged to follow their passion at an early age develop stronger discipline, deeper knowledge, and resilience to obstacles. If you find ways to let staff express their unique skills and passions at work—they will be more engaged and productive while at work.
4. Define purpose
Money pays the bills, but it (can’t buy you love) isn’t meaningful on it’s own. Human beings strive to make positive contributions to the world—even on small levels. That’s why the most successful business leaders can communicate a compelling mission and fuel employees forward.
5. Provide time
We live in a “more, bigger, faster” society, but ironically, creative thinking requires uninterrupted, pressure-free time on a regular basis or else we burn out.
6. Recovery
Human beings are not computers—although we’re often treated like machines. The average human can only expend energy for a short period of time (about 90 minutes), but then we need rest in order to recover—for example we go for a walk, go for a drive, excise at the gym, listen to music or even meditate to spur creative breakthroughs.
