Managing for More Creative Results

Question: There are several members of my team who are "people persons." How are they creative and what can I do as team leader to bring out more of their creative potential?

Answer: Since achieving creative results often depends on groups of people working together who are not used to working together, "people people," or those who have an abundance of what I call the Harmonizer talent, can make major contributions to the organization's creativity. Some of their most creative results include:

	Different perspectives and innovative solutions to problems that consider and help customers, employees, and community;
	A nurturing, energetic environment that brings out the creative best in the team;
	Heightened self-esteem for team members, by treating people as individual and unique. This self-esteem in turn allows team-members to take risks and step outside the box with creative ideas;
	Novel and unusual communication strategies; and
	Successful resolution of political problems that can impede change and innovation

You can help them build their creative capacities by:

	Providing clear goals and objectives and plenty of challenge
	Showing them appreciation for their contribution to the group
	Allowing them time to process change, especially if a change impacts working relationships
	Encouraging them to develop their conflict management skills
	Helping them set boundaries to avoid over-extending themselves
	Encouraging them to take time to reflect, gather more information, and find diverse views
	Helping them learn to delegate
	Supporting development of their analytical, communication, and feedback skills

Remember one size does not fit all when it comes to being creative!

Next issue: Managing the "absent-minded professor" for more creative results.

This column is a continuation of a series that can be found in the Practical Innovator newsletters, editions 1-4 at http://www.breakthroughcreativity.com/newsletters.html.

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