Creativity and Innovation to Enhance
Performance
"Perhaps the most limiting myth perpetuated in
the world of business is that every organization encourages
its people to be creative and innovative. The reality, however,
is that may organizations systematically repress, neglect
or overlook the ideas, talents and energy people innately
long to contribute to their work."
—From Leading Innovation by Brain McDermott
and Gerry Sexton
Inventiveness - ingenuity - originality -
imagination - resourcefulness -
initiative - cleverness - inspiration - invention
These are some of the words used to define innovation and
creativity. Based on these words, who wouldn't want to nurture
these attributes in their organization? According to McDermott
and Sexton, "Everybody agrees innovation is critically
important. The bulk of what you'll find in the media focuses
on the need for it - often very passionately, with wisdom
and commitment." And yet, companies are not quite practicing
it or taking advantage of its benefits.
Some of the benefits to an organization appear in quality
improvements, research and development breakthroughs, sales
excellence and customer satisfaction. All very compelling
reasons to nurture creativity and innovation. So why aren't
companies allowing this to happen?
There are many reasons. Some may believe that if they allow
creativity in the workplace, they may find themselves aboard
a runaway train. Others don't understand how to focus creativity
to its best advantage. Others don't know how to tap into creativity,
prescribing to only one way of expressing it. The most apparent,
though, is fear: fear of the unknown, fear that ideas can't
become reality, fear of appearing too flighty, fear of loss
of control.
All of these reasons can be mitigated with a better understanding
of processes that foster innovation and creativity. People
want to contribute in meaningful ways. Giving them the opportunity
to be creative while doing so enhances their fulfillment.
Strategic Enhancement Group has the expertise to help your
company foster creativity and innovation to get sound business
results. We can:
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Help identify ways in which people are most creative
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Provide tools for tapping into different creative styles
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Facilitate processes that focus creativity and innovation
on specific issues and challenge
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