It is okay to allow that splash of creativity to emerge in problem-solving in the workplace. So here are some tips for the reluctant problem solver.
There is often discomfort with appearing too creative in a business setting. It is particularly true in mainstream, bureaucratic workplaces where the lighter side of life is not always appreciated.
The following suggestions can help make anyone a creative problem solver. As a result, I will make the entire problem-solving process more productive and possibly more fun.
First, there are four basic questions about creativity that need to be answered:
- What is creativity? “The ability to produce or somehow bring anything new into existence, whether a new solution to a problem, a new method or device, or a new artistic item or shape,” according to creativity.
- Who has creativity? Absolutely everyone has that ability somewhere inside their mind, heart, perhaps the soul.
- Who needs creativity? Everyone needs creativity. It is the spark that brightens the dullness of everyday life. Even a little creativity can help find innovative solutions to overwhelming problems in the workplace.
- Who evaluates the value of creativity in problem-solving? Whoever is involved in the problem-solving process determines if any particular idea will work. Maybe only part of it is acceptable, achievable, or marketable. But, if the creative solution isn’t discussed, no one will ever know how good it is or is not.
Barriers to Creativity in Problem Solving
Some natural barriers keep people from thinking more freely and creatively at work. Following are some excuses people use for not allowing those creative juices to flow:
- Concern for personal risk:
- People sometimes feel that they are exposing themselves, maybe even putting their jobs at risk by being too creative. There is usually a fear of rejection or ridicule that makes them feel too vulnerable to take a chance.
- Self-concept:
- Too many people do not see themselves as creative, so they won’t even think outside the box.
- External environment:
- Some people are overly concerned about the system, the location, the timing, or anything else that can be an excuse not to think more creatively.
- Personal traits:
- The list of traits that can be barriers to creativity is endless, e.g. defensiveness, insecurity, or shyness.
- Social pressures:
- People think they don’t have time to be creative; they are supposed to be somewhere or doing something else; they are in junior positions, so they shouldn’t push themselves forward.
- Myths about the creative process:
- Many people think that creativity belongs to certain professions like writing or theatre, that regular men and women working in an office or retail outlet could not possibly be creative.
It could even be said that these people who think they are not creative have created their barriers!
Help with Creative Problem Solving
People willing to put thought and effort into it can work through those barriers to creativity and allow their minds the freedom to move into the problem-solving territory:
- Self-confidence: the basis of self-confidence is the acceptance of one’s strengths and weaknesses. Build on personal strengths and redefine weaknesses as challenges to improve.
- Freedom from physical barriers: move around, walk or run, do yoga breathing exercises, change to comfortable clothing.
- Freedom from mental barriers: clear the mind of irrelevant thoughts; e.g. imagine a blue sky with a few fluffy, white clouds and a gentle breeze clearing your mind.
- Understanding creative tension: accept the tension between ideas that seem the opposite. It is the kind of energy that sparks marvellous ideas.
- Brainstorming: this process allows creative solutions to tumble out onto the table. One or two people or an entire work unit can brainstorm. No matter how many people are involved, there is no discussion of the feasibility of an idea until the exercise is finished.
- Imagery: Imagine the issue scenario ‘solved’. A careful review of that ideal image might reveal a solution to the problem, perhaps something that is far beyond the usual.
- Analogy: this process is somewhat more sophisticated, starting to stretch the mind past the familiar to make it ‘strange’, giving a different perspective; e.g. ‘If I were this problem people were trying to fix, how would I protect myself against them?’
Despite all these ideas that encourage people to be free to explore creative solutions, there is, in the end, a discipline in the process. The creative ideas must be analyzed to identify the most feasible, achievable solution. No solution is implemented without a rigorous examination of all the pros and cons, the resources needed and the probable impact. For participants who are reluctant to be too creative, this is usually essential information. As a result, they will not look stupid or ridiculous; they will be respected as creative problem solvers.