3: Modern Organizations Support Creativity
“Without consistent creativity, there can be no innovation. So why do so many companies ignore creativity? Because you have to let go of control.”
— Brad Szollose, Liquid Leadership, page 38
K2 Design 20th Anniversary Party NYC 2013. Our Art Directors. |
That doesn’t mean you abandon what works for something new and sexy, but it does mean that what works needs to be supported while incubation is also supported.
At my own company, K2 Design, we had a policy; employees were encouraged to submit any and all ideas that they believed could be a great addition to our products and services.
We had dozens and dozens of ideas. Three we turned into new divisions of K2—K2 NetMedia, VisaTrack, and CliqNOW!
CliqNOW! was sold off for a few million dollars and a stock swap. The employees who managed that division wound up going onto the new parent company.
But this isn't some kind of anomaly. This requires the leadership to create an environment of trust. Trust that is built into the corporate culture from day one. Try new employee orientation with the idea that all creative ideas will be supported.
And then put your money where your mouth is.
"Creativity, innovation, and breakthroughs WILL BE REWARDED HERE." Print that on a poster and put it on the wall of your office.
Everyone is complaining about Millennials these days. But managing these new wunderkinds is actually an easy task when you give them a chance to unleash their creative nature.
Imagine discovering the next Mark Zuckerberg right inside your company. That would be an astounding achievement. But it starts with the structure of the company. From the bottom up, not top down. Creativity should be the cornerstone of your company.
Look at companies like Zappos and ValvE Software. Creativity CAN be managed. But it requires a new set of rules.
See you in Step 2...
Brad
PS: At K2 we were always trying to be cutting edge:
K2 Design Branches Out Into The Risky Realm of Wireless Services...
Brad Szollose
Global Management & Leadership Development Consultant
Author • Workshop Facilitator • Executive Coach • Keynote Speaker
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