“Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.”
Erich Fromm (March 23, 1900 – March 18, 1980), internationally renowned German-American psychologist.
here is no doubt about it: The promotional products industry is one that requires an unending well of creativity and innovation. With that being said, the true task at hand is, how do company leaders continue to foster a high level of competitive creativity on a daily basis?
Some of the keys to this creative upkeep come from the ongoing workplace creativity research of Teresa Amabile, professor of business administration at Harvard Business School. Amabile found that managers must show awareness of work activities, provide “socioemotional” support, ensure public recognition of performance, and generate inquiry and utilization of subordinates’ ideas. Conversely, the study found that team members bristled at leaders who provide too much or too little interest in their activities, avoid emerging conflicts or problems, and offer unclear objectives.
So what, exactly, does this translate to in our industry? Work to build an environment that openly supports creative thought and new ways of thinking, while still maintaining a structure that ensures productivity; allow an atmosphere where all ideas are up for consideration; recognize the accomplishments of your team; and encourage informal impromptu think-tank sessions—often times, it is in these moments where the groundwork for your best creative work is laid.
Whether you are a small business owner or a project manager within a large corporate organization, the approach to creativity in selling, marketing, advertising and product development is essentially the same. If you let your team create, it will.
