How to Boost your Creativity at Work
reprinted with permission from HP Small Business Center

When you think of “creativity”, you might immediately think of artists, musicians or designers. But the fact is that creativity is a useful tool in all sorts of occupations, from accounting to engineering to teaching. Creativity is the fuel for new products, systems, and better ways of getting work done.

According to Dr. Warren Bennis, a respected American scholar, organizational consultant and an expert in the field of leadership studies, “The organizations of the future will increasingly depend on the creativity of their members to survive. And the leaders of those organizations will be those who find ways both to retain their talented and independent-minded staffs and to set them free to do their best, most imaginative work . . . In a truly creative collaboration, work is pleasure, and the only rules and procedures are those that advance the common cause.”

The value of developing and encouraging creativity in the workplace is clear. But how can you boost your creative contributions? Here are a few techniques you may want to try.

Channel your frustrations constructively
According to a study published in the Academy of Management Journal, people who are the most dissatisfied with their jobs are often the most creative.

In a survey of 149 people, the researchers asked workers questions about their work lives, including some to assess their level of job satisfaction. They also interviewed the workers' supervisors, and asked which workers regularly came up with "creative solutions", "fresh approaches" or "new ideas."

So what does this mean for you? If you’re unhappy in your job, try spending some time thinking of how things could be improved. What would you change, if you could? Are there systems and processes that could be run more efficiently; or maybe there’s a new product or service your business could offer that would boost lagging sales. This type of exercise not only stimulates creativity and helps relieve work-related stress frustration, your brainstorming could potentially produce ideas that will impress your superiors.

Inject some variety into your life
If you’ve fallen into a rut at work or in your personal life, you might need to try something new to get your creativity flowing again. It could be something as simple as taking a different way home from work, going to a concert or art exhibition, or just “people watching” in a park or restaurant. Consider taking up a new hobby, like painting or playing a musical instrument.

For the more adventurous types, try a new sport, go for a run, or participate in another activity that will get your heart and adrenaline pumping. These types of experiences will stimulate your brain in new ways and prompt the release of chemicals that help encourage creativity. Exercise is also a great stress reliever!

For an in-the-office way to get your brain and creativity moving: volunteer for a new project, something outside the realm of what you normally do. This will challenge you to think and act in different ways, help you learn new skills, and might even increase your visibility at work.

Communicate for better ideas
One of the best ways to develop your own creativity is to work closely with other people. If your job is relatively independent, be sure to create opportunities to meet and talk over ideas with friends or colleagues; you could try setting up a regular brainstorming session, or simply make time each day to discuss a problem, issue or idea with a co-worker.

Even in team environments, it is possible to become so absorbed in our own tasks that we forget to engage with others – and remaining isolated in our own personal environments prevents us from developing new skills and experimenting with alternative ways of thinking and interacting.

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