How do I encourage creativity among my team?

How can managers help employees become creative and innovative at work? Some of my team members are very uncreative. They send boring reports, never come up with solutions when faced with a crisis. Paul

Dear Paul,
Some of the barriers to work place innovation are being bogged down by daily tasks, too much bureaucracy and very few companies incorporate it into their performance management systems.

Majority of the employees are capable of finding new ways to help their companies succeed. However, they may not put in much effort, unless creativity is expressly required. Thus a better business tactic is for managers to make creativity an expectation of every job role. Promoting an innovative culture can put a company ahead of competition hence it should be made one of the values and emphasised during staff get-togethers and all-company meetings.

Innovation is hindered if employees are weighed down by their daily tasks and the need to put in long hours. People are mostly creative when they are busy but not overwhelmed. Companies should be adequately staffed so that workers have the mental space and energy to be creative. When companies celebrate people who demonstrate creativity, other employees notice and are encouraged to emulate their behaviour. It is satisfying to be applauded for a good idea.

Bureaucracy is a necessary check and balance, but too much of it can suffocate innovation. Good ideas should be allowed to rise quickly to the top and clear pathways created to implement them.
Employees can also be introduced to new concepts and ways of thinking through job rotation and ensuring teams incorporate people from different backgrounds and generations.

Alice Nankya L. Nsibuka
HR business partner
NMG - Uganda
[email protected]