If you want to implement a few new ideas to build your team – YOU are at the right place!  These gems have been tested in my workshops and are easy to use.

In today’s economy, many companies are afraid of creativity.  Some leaders simply want to sustain the organization and don’t want to waste time or money by following an untested new idea.

Employees, too, are fearful of creativity. They know jobs are scarce and don’t want to risk losing theirs because of a backfired creative “brainstorm.”

What these companies and employees need to understand, however, is that organizations need be creative all the time. In fact, the companies and employees who are creative in a down economy will fare much better than those who are afraid to rock the boat.

You may say, “Joyce, I’ve heard all of these gems before.” I would then ask you, “Are you implementing all of these ideas?”  I find that at times we ALL need “gentle reminders” of the basics to move forward.

Remember…YOU get what YOU tolerate! 🙂

If you want to build your team, you must encourage creativity.

The following gems will help overcome any creativity fears.

Build Your Team Gem # 1:  Don’t be afraid of the word creativity

Being creative does not mean coming up with an idea that’s bigger than life or that will go down in the history books as the greatest innovation of all time.  Creativity does not have to be profound. In fact, it’s often the little things that have the greatest impact.

Build Your Team Gem # 2:  Creativity means looking for a second right answer 

Being creative simply means being open to new ideas. It’s about getting the “junk” out of your mind and making space for “what if” thinking: “What if we could”

• Shorten delivery times by 3 days?
• Expand into new markets?
• Cut production costs by 30%?

When you allow yourself to dream about the possibilities, creativity is the natural outcome.

 Build Your Team Gem # 3:  Creativity is about letting go

Status quo is the kiss of death for most organizations. When you’re creative, you have the confidence to let go of old ideas that may have worked in the past but that have no bearing now. You can see the current situation in a new light and can acknowledge that new times call for new ideas.

Build Your Team Gem # 4:  Creativity enables you to learn from mistakes 

Rather than let mistakes reaffirm your belief in doing things “the same old way,” see it as a learning opportunity. Look for new actions that you can take to improve future projects. Also, use your new knowledge to examine what the competition is doing and see how you can tweak it.

 Build Your Team Gem # 5:  Only you can give yourself permission to be creative

No one – not your organization, not your company’s culture, not your boss, and not your co-workers – can hinder your creativity.  Creativity comes from within. Once you give yourself permission to be creative, nothing can stop the ideas from coming.

Let’s Get Real 

This is the time for you to stop the mindset of “We already know this.” Instead ask the question, “Which one of these gems will be the best for our company to become more creative?”  When people are creative, innovation occurs. Teams who are innovative get noticed because of the results they’re able to achieve. If you want to build your team, bring creativity into the mix.  Let go, and allow everyone to open up to the possibilities that exist.  Discuss these 5 Gems with your team and select the ones that fit your specific needs to make some exciting changes.

I want to hear from you

Send me your questions or comments on how you have used creativity to build your team.  You’ll receive a response from me because I enjoy connecting with my loyal readers! 🙂

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Read more articles and listen to podcasts at our Team Building Strategies Knowledge Base.

 

This is Joyce Weiss
Corporate Communication Strategist and Career Coach

Until next time, Remember…”You Get What You Tolerate!”

#favorite quote
#Adidas quote

What are your favorite quotes on the word impossible?  What words do you say to yourself when you think something is impossible?

When others tell me something won’t work I say, “Don’t tell me it’s impossible until after I’ve tried it.”  Negative people don’t like this kind of optimism.  It’s so much fun for me to see them shut down after they hear my positive expressions.

Remember, Don’t walk away from negative people-RUN!!