'Creativity is vital - but it faces a sworn enemy'
In a recent survey from Adobe , three quarters of respondents felt under growing pressure to be productive rather than creative at work, despite being increasingly expected to demonstrate innovative thinking.
October 05, 2012 / 12:45 IST
Are businesses sufficiently creative?
In a recent survey from Adobe , three quarters of respondents felt under growing pressure to be productive rather than creative at work, despite being increasingly expected to demonstrate innovative thinking. Respondents also estimated they spend just a quarter of their time in the office "creating", with lack of time seen as the biggest barrier. While imagination was seen as being vital to the economy, just a quarter feel they are fulfilling their own creative potential. What drives innovation?Over three decades of research, Harvard Medical School has found people feel more liberated to be original when they are motivated by interest, enjoyment, satisfaction and the challenge of the work itself. However, motivation for creative thinking can collide with other workplace challenges such as compensation, competition, rewards, and recognition and, ultimately, fears of failure. The sworn enemy of creativity is pressure to deliver financial results.Where does creativity come from?More News From Financial Times
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Good ideas come from anywhere: we are all consumers and have an opinion. In my business, we believe that opinion needs to be creatively and effectively harnessed. A small amount of pressure can direct creativity and give it focus. For example, at the recent Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, we co-hosted an experiential event that encouraged people to break away from their day job and be inspired by masters in balloon art, clay modelling and Lego sculpture. The hope is that these delegates will take their new-found skills back to the workplace and encourage colleagues to try new stimuli to kickstart and channel creative thinking, too.How else can creativity help? The Harvard Medical School study also found that creative hobbies, undertaken outside the office, can stimulate mental clarity and creative thought while at work, and even encourage personal self-confidence and self-esteem before meetings or engagements. Essentially, encouraging inventiveness in the workplace means recognising that everyone can be creative.What needs to be done?Justifying time spent on "being creative" might not appear to be a valid use of resource on a timesheet; the results are impossible to quantify and measure through traditional business metrics. Creativity cannot be sold by an hourly rate, nor should it be. It is a value added service, and attempting to monetise it undermines its worth. This poses a key challenge for businesses - how best to harness the currency of ideas. It calls for a review of how creative excellence is recognised and measured. Embracing creativity requires significant and brave internal mind-set shifts. It is often true that those who give staff space and freedom to explore their originality will see a positive effect on the bottom line. Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
