Thinking creatively within a team takes a near-perfect storm of confidence, collaboration, and opportunity. While especially in technical or business-focused roles, creativity might not seem like something that is important to support, but it really is critical to growth and innovation. Here are 3 solid tips you can use to fuel innovation and inspire creativity within the workplace.

How Can You Spark Creativity in the Workplace?

Tip 1: Make Innovation a Priority

When innovation is considered everybody’s job, ideas will come. Each member of your time was hired because they provide a unique skill set and experience or background that adds value to the group. Those differences also make their creative thinking unique and valuable to the overall flow of your company’s innovation. By letting everyone know that innovation is part of their job requirement, that sets the tone for their daily workflow, and they will make time to meet that expectation.  

Creativity flows when there is an open exchange of ideas. Sometimes competition can block that open communication and stifle the creative spirit of a team. Build and support a culture that encourages team members to share their ideas with each other and with management without fear of losing out on credit for their big idea or feeling dejected when their idea is potentially shot down.

Tip 2: Support Teams Even Through Failure

When it comes to creativity, failure isn’t really an issue. Lack of ideas is the only true concern. Embracing failure makes room for new innovative ideas which might otherwise be blocked from a fear of failing. Teams can create either a very supportive idea tank, or a stifled group dynamic where individuals are afraid to float ideas which might make them look bad. Make sure you create a culture where no idea is a bad one, only one which can be improved.

Supportive teams are creative teams. Ones who build on each others ideas are the most innovative. To do this, there must be an emphasis on support and building on ideas. Challenging ideas should be encouraged, but shooting them down can create blocks. Rather than allowing team members to feel bad when an idea is rejected, take the time to look at the positive elements of all ideas and see where the team can take those concepts and turn them into something even better.

Tip 3: Learn from Mistakes

Inevitably, mistakes happen. What is important is that those mistakes are recognized and learned from. Testing is a huge part of what makes creativity productive. Teams often benefit from acting on ideas and changing direction in response to feedback. It’s important to pivot when an idea is not working out. This provides learnings to help fuel further great ideas. Make sure you show your team members that their creativity is important to the success of the team. Reward the group for innovation success, and reward individuals for their creativity on the job.

Ready to Spark Creativity in the Workplace?

Great teams that innovate and generate new opportunities for business growth are fueled by creativity and supported by leadership who understands the value of that skill. To learn more about how to build a more creative team, connect with the team-building experts at CPS today.