Articles
Inspiring Creativity In The Office
Creative employees produce better work, so how can managers inspire their staff to be more imaginative? Read on to find out.
Most employers would agree that a workforce is so much more valuable when it is made up of creative employees. Even if the actual work you do does not require it, it’s always useful to be able to think outside the box when it comes to expanding your business. So how can you make your employees more creative?
You cannot force creativity, of course. However, there are a number of things you can do to encourage it in the workplace. Here are a few of the best methods out there:
Personal development time
A recent survey from PwC found that younger employees value career progression and staff development a lot more than wages. However, if you carry them through this process it’s not going to get them thinking creatively.
Instead, many companies have given staff their own time - even if it’s just an hour a week - in which to focus on development in whichever way they choose. Giving them this level of freedom encourages them to think outside the box, and this approach then bleeds into the other aspects of their job.
Team-building exercises
It’s hard to build creativity when your business involves the same work, day-in and day-out. In order to foster an atmosphere that promotes imagination and innovation, you might need to bring in a few ideas of your own that are outside-the-box, in the form of team-building exercises.
Having your teams solve a difficult or abstract problem, design a mood board or even rebrand your company doesn’t just get them working together. It also gives the creative areas of their brains a bit of exercise. Getting them to do something that’s quite different from their day-to-day workload helps to inspire your employees and encourages creativity.
Improve their environment
If your office has beige walls, a grey carpet and rows of identical desks, it’s not likely to be the best environment for fostering creativity. People think better and are more innovative when they are surrounded by things that inspire them, lift their mood and stimulate their senses, so maybe it’s time for an office redesign?
Simple steps like adding a splash of colour or some art can make a big difference. You can also look at more radical ways to switch up your workspace. Standing desks can give employees a new perspective – as well as the stimulation that being on your feet provides the brain - while exercise balls or even bean bags instead of chairs can prove to be a real game-changer.
