Do you run a workplace in which people feel free to communicate new ideas? Do your employees come to you with new plans or ideas about how to run company meetings more efficiently? Have your employees ever presented ideas for a new marketing plan or proposed topics for the company’s blog?
If the answer is no, the creativity of your employees may be stifled. Today’s business world is very competitive, so if your company is lacking in creativity and innovation, it could put you at a disadvantage.
Despite the industry, creativity is needed to generate new ideas and rethink processes. Getting your employees to think creatively can mean that you have a whole team of people trying to develop your business. Not always, but generally employees will not apply their creative minds to your company unless you motivate them to do so.
One of the best ways to stimulate fresh thinking is to just listen to your employees when they present new ideas. Most employees are worried when approaching their superiors with new concepts, especially when it’s a concept that falls “outside of the box.” So make sure you give them an open forum to discuss their ideas and give them the respect to listen to them. Another way is to ask your employees, if you are trying to think of a way to improve the company’s blog, or products, send out an email asking for ideas. Not all of your employee’s ideas will impress you, but, so as not to single anyone out, listen to them all.
If you think that your employees don’t have good ideas, then you may be missing out. In addition, not listening to them, or disregarding ideas will motivate your employees to do the bare minimum. You will end up with a group of people working for the weekend.
Another great way to encourage creativity is to compensate strong ideas. This could be financial or simply pointing out their innovation to the rest of the company.
Many people want a job that allows them to be creative. It stimulates their minds and prevents boring redundancy. Many employees also have ideas on how to improve their place of business; they just haven’t voiced them to you. So encourage them to let you know what they think. It doesn’t mean that the way you have been doing things is bad; it just means that they may have ideas that you many not have thought of. Regardless, you and your business will reap the benefits of their creativity and your employees will be happier for it.
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