The theory that creativity is only partially real is that brilliant innovations take place at the macro stage. The other half of the story is smaller, gradual improvements that can also lead to a breakthrough.
“I think that creativity is seen as the next major thing is truly a huge issue. It prevents people from helping to innovate,” said Dr. Amantha Imber, who holds a doctorate in organizational psychology and the founder and CEO of Inventium, an innovation training consultancy.
Imber supported some of the world’s largest brands through her work with Inventium. Google, Coca-Cola, Disney and LEGO – direct their workers into new organizational cultures.
She said she preferred to think of innovation simply as “a value-adding change,” a concept that not only supports her work with these organizations but also supports the course of her keynote speeches at conferences around the world.
1. Think In The Package
Thinking outside the box is always a tip for creativity, but it may not be the best idea. It may work from time to time to challenge the status quo and break through constraints, but according to Imber, it is also the ideal incubator for creative thought.
“There are limitations of creativity,” she said. “When you have a blank paper sheet with no rules the hardest way to think creatively is.”
2. Hit the baby spot
Just as a tennis player is trying to strike the ball in the middle of the racketball, innovative people should always look to hit the “sweet spot” creativity.
“You need a suitable degree of challenge for yourself and your staff,” said Imber. “You want difficult problems, but not to the extent that you are overwhelmed or stressed.”
To solve the issue effectively, the degree of difficulty should fit the skills and resources. And the enemy of imagination is forgiveness. If a mission doesn’t push teams, they won’t be able to think about it innovatively. Similarly, imagination fails when overwhelmed.
Goal setting is a crucial factor for ensuring that the challenge is correct. “You won’t get a creative behaviour when you set comfortable targets,” says Imber. “Set goals that will make you feel very uneasy and move you out into a creative space for thought and comfort. …If you feel challenged, you know that you are right.
3. Don’t underestimate self-reliance
Though team brainstorming is a typical first move when trying to solve a problem. In particular, for more introverted team members, Imber discourages activities because it facilitates group thinking and has proven unsuccessful.
Instead, it’s an efficient structure to have team members at first work individually, then work together after everyone could shape ideas and opinions.
“Self-governance is really important,” said Imber invent help . “The freedom to solve problems as they like needs to be given to people because micro-management kills creativity.”
4. Expand your experience Open your mind
A blend of empathy, imagination and openness to experience is key to great innovation.
‘It’s not possible to be closed-minded,’ said Imber. She also said that successful innovators are almost immer people who have read extensively and have a broad spectrum of interests. “Which one demonstrates openness is someone who likes to try invent help new things and experiment with new ideas.”
“In contrast to I-shaped, effective innovators are T shaped,” Imber invent help continued. I-fashioned people are psychologically immensely competent for their area of specialization, but less so in diversification or operating beyond it.
On the other hand, T-shaped workers have in-depth knowledge and invent help limited expertise in one area, but Other interests are also sought. Width is critical, too, said Imber when hiring candidates.
“A CMO or marketing manager is going to want invent help candidates who have worked in their marketing careers for several years, but what is actually more efficient is finding someone who has worked in different areas or industries entirely,” she said.
5. Using the mind unconsciously
While the issue must be clearly defined, Imber also indicated that innovators should invent help avoid thinking about it. For a bit, at least.
