we explain creativity in the workplace
this is Shawn a product manager working
on the launch of a new sailboat the
presentation has to be ready by 9:00
a.m. tomorrow
Shawn feels stressed because he's
missing the big idea
Shawn's supervisor Vincent wants to help
him he's read that creative spaces lead
to creative work so Vincent decides to
build the best work place on earth with
open-plan offices common areas and
wellness areas were Shawn to be
resourceful but Shawn still doesn't feel
creative when he's at work Shawn has his
best ideas outside the office while
running chatting with friends listening
to music or having a shower like Shawn
the majority of people are not creative
on Mirjana the main reasons are too many
distractions having no time being too
focused or feeling stressed so is it
ever possible to have outstanding ideas
at work this is Lisa
Vincent's daughter Lisa works on her
startup in a garage with her two friends
surprisingly lisa has her best ideas in
the garage
Vincent wonders why the garage isn't the
best work place on earth furthermore he
knows Lisa is stressed too being an
entrepreneur is like jumping from a
plane without a parachute and trying to
figure out how to make wine on the way
down so why does Lisa have her best
ideas in the garage what matters most
for Lisa is her team one they inspire
her every day
they share their thoughts openly and
have respect for their expertise - there
was a creative atmosphere it's okay to
be yourself and do whatever you want
sing out loud do a workout or daydream
three they know creativity is required
for their startup to survive and grow
how can Vincent help his employees to be
creative
he works in a big corporate balloon
Vincent realizes that creativity in the
workplace depends more on the people and
the energy between them that on the
environment he identifies four key
elements behind Lisa's creativity first
surround yourself with people on your
wavelength folks you would like to go
sailing with these are people you are
more likely to communicate with which
builds trust Trust is a major element
for creativity because people are more
likely to give honest feedback and come
up with daring ideas second allow time
to not focus under extreme time pressure
people are likely to focus too hard and
hold on to a narrow point not focusing
helps to widen the horizon for instance
informal talks with colleagues help to
see problems from a bird's eye view
offer different perspectives and thereby
open the horizon for unusual solutions
third demand creativity to accelerate
creative thinking get a genius on board
a genius places high standards on
himself is passionate about his job and
inspires others to deliver creative
excellence to and finally have a common
purpose if people are driven by the same
goal they help each other to have great
ideas
six months later Shawn Vincent and his
new colleagues go on a sailing trip to
test drive the new boat like good
friends they have the time of their life
and they keep one promise what happens
on the sailboat stays on the sailboat