For years, managers and business leaders have encouraged productivity in the workplace. Productivity is a measure of efficiency and profitability. In my March 10 posting An Obtainable Goal for All: Workplace Efficiency, I discuss ways to be more efficient in the office: prioritizing, delegating, and measuring accomplishments to name just a few. How H However, one aspect of productivity that needs to be focused on in today’s workplace is the encouragement and growth of creativity.

Imagine you have an employee, Sarah, who ticks all the boxes of efficiency: she arrives to work on time everyday; she typically works through lunch, and declines unnecessary meetings. However, Sarah never pushes boundaries and thus, her work is good but predictable. As a business leader, would you like all your employees to be like Sarah? A team that doesn’t spend time together brainstorming or cooperating? Probably not. Efficiency in today’s business world must focus on thinking, adaptation, and moving forward.

The Great Work Study, published several years ago, highlights ways in which a workforce can be empowered to become more innovative. For example, the report finds that 88 percent of great work starts with an employee asking an inquisitive question. Also, 72 percent of great work ideas succeed because employees are encourage to share their solutions. These are the five simple steps an employee or team should follow:

  • Ask the Right Question: make sure the questions you are asking are innovative and add value to your business.
  • See it For Yourself: take note of the changes or improvements as they are being realized by others.
  • Talk to Your Outer Circle: share your efforts with people outside of your usual circle of influence.
  • Improve the Mix: experiment with ideas that will make an improvement and add new value.
  • Deliver the Difference: stay involved with the process – nearly 90 percent of great work involves seeing the work through to a desired result.

According to a recent article in Forbes, productivity of a company in the 21st century should be built on these goals: “making a difference for customers, delivering new and innovative solutions, and creating a culture that strengthens teams, and boost[s] organizational success for years to come.”

What can you, as a business leader, do to encourage more innovative thinking in the workplace? Here are a couple of idea:

  • Encourage Voice-to-Voice Communication: Email is a very time consuming activity for workers. A quick (30 minutes at most) phone call or meeting is not only more efficient but sets the stage for more employee interaction.
  • Let Your Team Know You Care: Take your team out for a meal or happy hour or implement a workplace wellness program. Again, this encourages personal interactions and team building.
  • Encourage Employees to Get Involved: Being an invited speaker at a conference or sitting on a board of directors are excellent ways for employees to share their knowledge with people outside of their normal circle of influence.

Need more ideas to promote creativity in the workplace? Please don’t hesitate to contact us at DeSantis Trusted Advisors.