The creativity connection

Creativity and management may seem at odds. One might feel looser and arts-oriented, while the other has both feet planted in business. The truth is that they overlap more than you might realize. First of all, many creative departments – like those agency teams made up of graphic designers, artists, and writers – need managers to guide their efforts, so creativity is necessary to some management positions in certain industries. But creativity goes beyond being able to play an instrument or paint; it’s a way of seeing things and a perspective on problem-solving.

Creativity, for instance, is how businesses figure out new ways to increase profits and cut costs without laying anyone off and it’s the driving force behind how new products get developed. Managers have to find creative solutions to project management and balancing competing priorities while moving things towards their deadlines; they have to come up with creative ways to motivate their teams. Creativity, therefore, has a huge place in business. Here are some ways to cultivate more creativity in your career or department.

1. Read “The Accidental Creative” by Todd Henry: This book covers the idea that everyone is creative and that there are ways to increase creative output. It’s not just something that painters are born with and computer programmers lack. Creativity can be grown by everyone. Read this on your own or use it as an opportunity to start a department book club.
2. Host a creative meeting: We know, who has time for another meeting? But this can be held weekly, monthly, or even quarterly. Your team should come prepared to bring something they think of as novel, unique, or newsworthy. This is applicable to every department, from IT to finance to human resources. What books or TED talks are worth talking about? Have any businesses made the news recently because of a new innovation? Talking about other businesses, industries, and mediums helps keep the creative juices flowing.
3. Embrace the opposition: One way to improve creative and critical thought is to try on a different perspective. Listen to a podcast hosted by someone you don’t like, read a book by someone whose views are different than yours or try that restaurant you’re sure you’ll hate. Going outside of your comfort zone is an exercise in creativity.

Don’t believe the myth that some people are born creative and others aren’t – creativity can be nurtured in all of us and even lead to big discoveries along the way.