Move and Groove #34 - Create

Creativity isn't just a nice-to-have – it's a must-have for staying competitive. Creativity is not restricted to the designated "creatives" in your organization. Creativity is a skill available to all, waiting to be trained. Training your staff on these skills can result in significant innovation. I have seen creative ideas become features, products, and process improvements that resulted in millions in sales or savings. By understanding how our brains generate innovative ideas, we can tap into this potential for creativity, regardless of our job title or department.

Neuroscience Nugget: Research has shown that creativity involves a complex interplay of various brain networks. A study by Beaty et al. (2018) found that creative thinking activates a "high-creative" brain network, involving regions associated with cognitive control, spontaneous thinking, and memory retrieval. This suggests that creativity is a trainable cognitive skill, not just an innate talent.

Here are some practical ways to enhance creative thinking in your organization:

1. Create more fusion teams: cross-functional business teams aligned on a shared goal often out-innovate logical teams made up of separate functions/teams glued together with project/program management. Create teams that have very little outside dependencies, give them a goal, free them from distraction, and have them figure out how to get there.
2. Create constraints: challenge yourself with questions like "what would I do if we had only half the time?", "what about half the budget?" Constraints force the brain to conserve energy by not exploring so many scenarios. Constraints help us challenge assumptions, resulting in novel approaches to problems.
3. Create an idea parking lot: keep a dedicated space (physical or digital, I use todoist.com) where you jot down ideas that come up during the week. Review this "parking lot" during your Friday Afternoon Strategy Hack meeting to see if any ideas can be applied to current challenges.
4. Reward creativity: When it shows up, acknowledge and praise creative acts from your team. Help people believe they are creative, regardless of role. Create an innovation award and give it out at your allhands meeting to show the importance of creativity in your team.

Remember, creativity in the workplace isn't about grand, disruptive ideas every day. It's about consistently approaching your work with fresh perspectives and an open mind. By incorporating these exercises into your work routine, you're training your brain to find innovative solutions within your professional context.

This week, challenge yourself to try at least one of these exercises in your work environment. Your next breakthrough idea might be just around the corner!

Be well,

Eric

P.S. Enjoy these resources on your journey:

• Winning at Work - our signature course on doing your best work, while feeling great at the same time. Access the launch promotion and get $300 off, coaching, and surprise bonuses.
• Be Well Mind - blogs on neuroscience, sports science, and performance.
• Schedule a free call - enjoy a powerful one hour coaching session for free.
• Group Flow Checklist - improve your team's ability to enter group flow for more productivity, innovation, and joy.
• Friday Afternoon Strategy Hack - when your competition is choosing where to go for happy hour, outmaneuver them with this strategic tool.