4 April 2017

Collaborative creativity, the key to innovate within your company

keys to collaborative creativity in business

Table of contents

We are all creative and we are all born with the ability to be creative. However, we would never say that everyone is creative. Does creativity fade with age, does it need to be practised, and how can creativity be encouraged? collaborative creativity in business?

What is certain is that the environment influences, The ability of a person to generate new ideas is, to a large extent, a key factor in the ability of a person to generate new ideas. This is also true in the workplace. The type of boss we have and the atmosphere in the team can either boost creativity or eradicate it altogether.

It will never be the same in a group where, on a daily basis, there is discussion and debate. exchanges of information that can be the seed of a great idea.; than one in which communication is conspicuous by its absence.

Creativity is very important in the workplace, especially if one of the company's objectives is to innovate. The former gives way to the latter and they go hand in hand.

Businesses need creativity to innovate in determining areas of their business. Whether to improve the product or service they offer or to find new ways of communicating with potential customers.

Innovating through collaborative creativity

Creativity does not come out of nowhere. It is born from the interaction between people, when we receive new information, see a painting, listen to a song... Creativity is being in contact with the outside, with what surrounds us.

For this reason, in recent years, the concept of collaborative creativity. It is a new way of approaching the process of generating ideas in which diversity, interconnectedness and exchange are emphasised.

Traditionally, creativity has always been discussed from an individual point of view. However, any creative endeavour is much more effective if it is done together. Collaborative creativity aims at accelerating the creative development of individuals through broad and diverse cooperation between them, avoiding the toxic work environment. Its benefits are extensive:

  • Working in a group will allow you to analyse a greater number of different points of view or perspectives.
  • The opinion of several people when assessing an idea will always be better than that of just one.
  • People are sources of inspiration and fuel for creativity. A conversation can give rise to a large number of ideas.
  • It increases the productivity and motivation of employees to have more colleagues in the same boat. Also taking into account the motivational dynamics for teleworkers.
  • It invites you to think big, as involving several people in a creative process is challenging.

How to enhance collaborative creativity in a team

Creativity is like a habit that requires some practice or training. If you want to make your team a hotbed of ideas, put these tips into practice:

1. Encourage interaction

Organise sessions or talks on topics related to creativity and innovation within your own area. Contact with people will be the best source of creativity within your team.

2. Embrace diversity

Gender, religion, ethnicity, area of expertise... Diversity equals creativity. If the whole team is the same, you will all think in the same way. A combination of different people will lead to new perspectives.

3. Create a cohesive team

Only if we feel at ease with our colleagues will we dare to share any idea that crosses our minds. Fear or embarrassment is a brake on creativity.

4. Give time to those who need it

Not everyone has the same capacity to generate ideas. Nor will everyone be outgoing enough at the beginning. Be patient and give them room to get the best out of themselves.

5. Include an analytical person in the team

Although it may seem that all you are doing is knocking down other people's ideas, you are actually bringing them down to earth. A balanced team will have at least one member with this profile.

6. Promotes a relaxed atmosphere

Creativity does not flow in sad environments. A sense of humour and enthusiasm are necessary ingredients for a good idea. Start your meetings in a different way and make your team feel at ease and enthusiastic.

As we have seen, creativity arises when people find themselves in an appropriate environment and a stimulating atmosphere.

Creating this ecosystem will be a necessary condition for a team that exudes collaborative creativity and innovation.

Edenred Spain

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