TEDx Sparking Creativity and Innovation

What is Creativity and Innovation in a Workplace?

Creativity and innovation might seem similar, but they are two distinct concepts. Creativity in a workplace is the act of conceiving novel ideas, while innovation is the act of implementing those ideas in an organizational context.

Innovation can also be about changing the way you do business by embracing new technologies, improved industry methods, meeting ever-changing demands, and better systems and processes. Creative and innovative individuals or businesses tend to be different and more successful than others.

In the process of innovating, constant creativity is needed because it may be used as a way of solving or reframing a problem.

If you have used Dangote cement, sugar, and seasoning, then you have tapped the company’s creativity and innovation.

According to Jennifer Harrity of Indeed, there are ten ways to show creativity in the workplace:

Collaborate with Others

• Creative people often draw inspiration from others. You can show your creativity in the workplace by collaborating effectively with your team members or other coworkers. Ask questions to help you understand others’ ideas and workflows.
• Share your own insights to help others gain new information that may help them improve the quality of their work. Participate in team meetings and listen actively to others to help you find inspiration for your own creativity.
• In many industries, employers value the ability to think creatively to find solutions or generate new ideas. Creative employees can collaborate effectively with their teams and share ideas to improve processes or workflows. Knowing how to show your creativity in the workplace can help you solve problems, boost your productivity, and progress in your career.

Be Willing to Take Risks

• Many creative thinkers embrace challenges at work. Rather than feeling intimidated by the prospect of failure, they’re motivated to find new ways to succeed. By taking risks and trying different processes to increase your creativity, you can test new ideas to determine your potential. This process can allow you to refine your ideas and share them with others.

Focus on Your Tasks

• Creative people become engaged in the creative process and may work for hours at a time without realizing it. Practice focusing on your tasks to help you be more creative at work. It can be helpful to use focus exercises or meditation to stimulate your creative thinking.
• If you find yourself struggling to focus, take a short break from your work to allow yourself to recharge. Many people find this strategy very effective. The more they practice it, the easier they find it to focus on their work.

Engage in Innovative Problem-Solving

• When you encounter a challenge at work, engage in innovative problem-solving methods to find a creative solution. Use your imagination to brainstorm potential solutions and consider their outcomes. Work to find unique solutions that others may not consider. If you’re finding it difficult to solve a complex problem, ask your coworkers or manager for ideas and use their input to help you find the ideal solution.

Challenge Conformity

• Creative people have a strong understanding of the usual processes of their workplace and can recognize when those established practices may benefit from improvement. Challenge this conformity to provide a new perspective into a normal procedure or behavior.
• Share your ideas for new processes with others to promote creative thinking and application. Be respectful of others while stating why you believe a new process or idea may be beneficial for the team.

Work Independently

• While it’s important to collaborate with others to seek information and find solutions, you can also show your creativity in the workplace by working independently. Become comfortable working on tasks without supervision.
• When you have a problem, perform research to help you find a solution on your own. Use your analytical skills to help you generate ideas and improve processes without guidance from others.

Show Comfort with Ambiguity

• Creative people are good at accepting ambiguous situations where there may be an unclear path or more than one acceptable solution. Approach situations with this type of mindset to help you consider multiple solutions to a problem. Being comfortable with ambiguity can allow opportunities for more experimentation, which can lead to innovative solutions for challenges at work.

Pay Attention to Detail

• Creative people often value preparation and research, which help them consider potential solutions to problems from multiple viewpoints. When you’re brainstorming or problem-solving, pay close attention to the details to ensure you’re considering all possible solutions and outcomes.
• It’s helpful to create a list so you can organize your thoughts. This attention to detail can help you identify areas to improve before you apply your ideas, which can increase the quality of your work.

Learn from Constructive Feedback

• While creative people have an emotional investment in their work, they recognize the value of receiving constructive feedback. When you receive constructive feedback at work, accept it graciously and take some time to review it. Then apply the feedback to future situations to improve your ideas or processes. This process can help you continue to learn and advance in your career.

Have a Strong Work Ethic - A substantial amount of effort goes into being creative and fostering creativity in the workplace. It’s important to have a strong work ethic so you can devote the necessary time and effort to completing a task or project creatively. - When working, try to minimize distractions and manage your time effectively. You may find it helpful to schedule time each day for creative thinking and brainstorming to ensure you complete your tasks on time.

How to Spark Creativity and Innovation in the Workplace

This can be achieved by following these encouraging methods:

• Playtime: Playtime is crucial to creativity and innovation to avoid burnout. Business owners should invest in video games, ping pong, and table tennis.
• Encourage Communication: Communication between employees sparks creativity and innovation and also helps in improving teamwork.
• Brainstorming the Right Way: Allow a free flow of good or bad ideas. CAREEREALISM.com states that managers should be critical at this stage of the idea process; referring to author Jonah Lehrer who says that without analysis and criticism, employees will think every idea is a good one.
• Good Working Environment: A serene environment gives peace of mind and a clear head.
• No Barriers or Down Wall Policy: Barricading oneself from others in an office or cubicle should be frowned upon. It doesn’t encourage the employees to interact face-to-face.

To conclude, all workplaces are propelled by innovation and creativity; without either, they would eventually cease to exist. Consider the fact that businesses like Nestle, Bua, and Dangote are still operating thanks to their creativity and innovation. It follows that since creativity and innovation are the bedrock of advancement and expansion, no workplace can function without them. Additionally, when workers are content with their employers, ideas keep flowing. Employee satisfaction can result from proper motivation, which may be financial or non-financial.

TEDx Bauchi 2023 was a celebration of ideas, inspiration, and community. These quotes are just a glimpse of the wisdom shared during the event. Let's carry these messages forward and work together to create a brighter future.