You can’t force your tech teams to be creative. Creativity and innovation can’t be scheduled. Even calling upon those skills when you need them most can be a challenge.
However, tech companies and departments often need to be creative if they are going to stay ahead of the competition. New innovations are a necessity for developing intriguing products or services that stand out from the pack, and new ideas might be critical if you are going to solve problems quickly and effectively.
Luckily, while you can’t force creativity, that doesn’t mean you can’t spark it. By taking the right steps, you can create an environment where innovative thinking can thrive. Here’s how to get started.
Embrace Dynamic Workplace Design
The physical space your team works in can influence innovation. Uninspiring, drab, or uncomfortable offices aren’t conducive to creative thinking. By reworking your workplace into a bright, dynamic, and enjoyable space, you can inspire creativity.
Similarly, having a combination of open group areas and private workstations can also help your employees flourish. The open sections facilitate cross-team collaboration and easier communication while the private spaces ensure that heads-down work isn’t interrupted and that those who require quiet to think have a place to go. Overall, it allows the office area to work for everyone, ensuring creativity isn’t stymied.
Support Creative Thinking
When your team offers up a creative idea, the feedback you provide impacts whether they are likely to give you more in the future. If their suggestions are always shot down, your employees will begin to feel discouraged. Over time, they will just stop thinking creatively or, at least, sharing those thoughts.
If you want your employees to be innovative, you need to actively encourage idea-sharing. Communicate your appreciation for every piece of input and, if you don’t pursue a suggestion, be clear as to why it isn’t on the table.
Also, provide a range of mechanisms for contributing thoughts, such as brainstorming meetings, only forums, or anonymous email suggest boxes. That way, even if your team members are shy, they have a space they feel comfortable sharing.
Make Diversity a Priority
Having a diverse workforce can spur creativity. Individuals from different backgrounds (both personal and professional) have differing perspectives. As a result, they may view a situation differently than their colleagues, leading them to recommend solutions that others miss.
Offer Flexible Schedules
Not all people are at their best at the same time of day. Some employees flourish in the morning while others shine in the afternoon or evening. You may even have some workers who thrive late at night.
By offering flexible schedules, you are encouraging your employees to work at times when they are the most productive and focused. Their energy levels are higher, so they may be better equipped to think creatively and reach their full potential.
Find Creative Candidates with The Armada Group!
Ultimately, all of the suggestions above can help spark creativity in your tech environment. If you’d like to learn more, the staff at The Armada Group can help. Contact us today and see how our expertise can benefit you.
