Project Mayhem

Happy new year, kids. As promised in my last post, here are some ideas for fostering that creative spark:

1. Odd Couples
As Jeremy’s Emergenetics training has demonstrated, there are analytical thinkers and conceptual thinkers (and structural, & social). But Emergenetics is not a measure of creativity. It’s an illustration of communications preferences. So analytical thinkers aren’t less creative. They just create differently.   So foster little creative dynamic duos.  Pair different thinkers to solve creative conundrums.  Allow them to work together and develop a groove.  You’ll be surprised at the results.

2. It’s a Team Sport.
Too many brainstorms are waaaayyyy too top-heavy. Everyone can – and should –  play a role. When was the last time we had a brainstorm with fewer VPs than AEs?  Give everyone a chance to participate!  But when you do…

3. Make It Safe.
Junior staff need to understand that all creative sessions — not just brainstorms — are safe environments. The won’t be judged, ridiculed or evaluated on their performance. Make them feel safe, and the ideas will flow. “There’s no bad ideas in a brainstorm” can’t be hollow words. We need to live them. And if they still don’t speak…

4. If At First They Don’t Speak…
Keep inviting them back. Invite them again, and again, and again. Some people take longer to come out of their shells in unfamiliar settings. It doesn’t mean they don’t have anything to contribute. Don’t let first (or second or third ) impressions label someone as non-creative.  Keep inviting them until they get to a point when they’re ready to contribute to the group.

5. The Honor System.
This can be a difficult one to keep in mind on a consistent basis, but its a critical one. Nothing can kill a creative spark like a headshake or a chuckle. Take every idea seriously. Give people every opportunity to express ideas, and honor their contributions. Consider everything, and set aside time to walk through ideas with staff.  Obviously, not every idea is a good one, and you won’t act on most. But make sure they understand that their input is valuable and their ideas have merit.

6. I hear, and I Forget. I see, and I Remember. I do, and I Understand.
Nothing gets creative juices flowing like an actual assignment. Give junior staff a first crack at coming up with ideas/solutions to assignments (keeping number 5 in mind). Let ‘em show you what they’ve got. Assign a supervisor to guide the process, but let the staff do the work and come up with the ideas.

7. Mentoring.
This is one we talk about a lot in PR, but it has special meaning for creativity. Creativity breeds creativity. Jeremy and I and Michael and I feed off each other. Have the most creative staff “adopt” junior staff outside their immediate sphere of influence and let them participate in creative ideation together.

8.  Game time
We all understand the issues with time in our business. And at the end of the day, the client and their assignments come first. But in order to foster creativity, you need to provide time for minds to stretch. Host brainteaser lunches once a month. Play word games at an after-hours happy hour. Jeremy, Carol and I would be thrilled to facilitate these sessions. Just ask.

I hope these ideas help. But I this list is by no means all-encompassing. Feel free to email me or post your suggestions, and we’ll share with the rest of the staff.

xoxo
Marc