Thanks Bambi Gordon, Small Business Mentor & Legend. Find out why at www.thewoo.com.au:
When the poo hit the proverbial in late 2008 and business folk saw that the sky was falling as they leapt into the water around many a sinking ship (Sorry about all those mixed metaphors, but you get my – pardon the pun – drift), you would think that those in charge would have withdrawn into tradition and proven methodologies.
As Steven Tomasco, a manager at IBM Global Business Services, said: “Very interesting that coming off the worst economic conditions they’d ever seen, [CEOs] didn’t fall back on management discipline, existing best practices, rigor, or operations. In fact, they [did] just the opposite.”
He was quoted recently in Fast Company http://catalystformagic.posterous.com/the-most-important-leadership-quality-for-ceo-2 as they reported the findings of an IBM Survey of 1500 CEOs in the States that looked at what were the most important leadership qualities for a Chief Executive Officer. And – Creativity won!
Not financial wizardry, or integrity, or experience.
Creativity.
The ability to push the envelope, think outside the box (and come up with far more original words and less clichés). Being Creative is being valued as not just one of the myriad of abilities we look for in leaders – but the Number 1 attribute.
I think it is wonderful that Creativity gets a mention as a skill set. Through creative thinking we innovate. And through innovation we, hopefully, progress – and improve the quality of life. Let’s face it, no one enjoys Repetitive Strain Injury of the brain.
But – it can be pretty damn hard to be creativity, to find new ways of doing things, to attack problems with fresh thinking – amid the day-to-day obligations of just getting things done.
And why should creativity fall just on the shoulders of the CEO, GM or Business Owner?
Here are some suggestions for how you can get the creativity juices flowing through your business?
- Make it a safe place, so that staff know that there is no risk – and maybe even a reward – for coming up with zany ideas.
- Surround yourself with people who don’t know stuff. If they are not burdened by knowing the traditional way of doing things they may just come up with exciting new processes.
- Play nice and play often. Just as your best ideas hit you when driving to work, or having a shower, get your staff into a playful environment focused upon, simply, playing – and watch the problem solving start.
- Tap into creative folk. If you have copywriters and graphic designers who address your marketing needs – why not get them involved in other aspects of your business; to bring a designers eye to how you go about your systems.
- Ask your customers to get creative about how they want your business to operate
Got any tips for finding and embracing creativity?
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