What is the most appropriate way to generate creativity in a work team? This was the question that a senior manager asked me.
The answer is not easy at all, and starting from the point that creativity is not generated, rather it is given permission.
Regardless of the level of leadership; Creativity is not something that is given, it is definitely something that one already has, and with a little opportunity it springs from the heart and mind of those who possess it.
This is the importance of the application of good leadership in the management of the team of any organization, be it this company, church, club, association, etc.
In ancient times, the chiefs, the foremen, were recognized, who sometimes even beat the "peons" with whips-; But as the world became a small town, the concept of "boss" or "Foreman" disappeared, and we began to recognize managers or supervisors, these being the ones who determine what is "convenient" or "inconvenient" to companies or organizations.
However, it seems that managers or supervisors are becoming "part of the past" in our now called "Global Village".
Just a few years ago the term “ Management Leadership ” emerged and little by little as we move forward to become friends in our global village, new terms have emerged.
The truth is that everything arises to cover a need within the business and organizational field in order to achieve high performance in the midst of so much global competition; no matter what we do, -if we sell services or products, tangible or intangible.
With the writing in mind; So let's talk about what we can call “ Creative Leadership ”. What is it? And what does it consist of?
Let us understand that the leader is only a process facilitator within the organization's team, and every leader must keep in mind that the team is made up of people with capacities who can contribute to the common good for the development and expansion of the organization.
Every well-formed team must be composed of good planners, but there must be good organizers, and therefore good administrators must make an appearance, and finally, good directors cannot be absent, who are those who live giving direction. to all of the above.
All of these are necessary within the organization, but they should always be led by someone who has the ability to recognize the talents in each of them and motivate them to put them on the table for execution within the organization.
It is very interesting to see when all the members of the team are seen in a round table; but being led by someone motivating, with creativity to allow them to present their ideas, and comments, stimulating the team to seek the best strategies to meet the proposed goals.
We can define the process of creative leadership in 3 action frames:
1. EVERYTHING IS GOOD:
In this framework is where all team members contribute opinions, ideas, comments, and the good creative leader knows how to listen, take note, and perceive the best of each collaborator to find all the possible strategies for the fulfillment of the proposed goals.
It is important to know that in this framework nothing is questioned, everything is taken into account, and it is precisely here where each member of the team should feel free to present and raise ideas.
The leader must know how to identify when is the time or the right moment to move on to the following framework:
2. EVERYTHING IS ANALYZED:
As everything in life; the actions may not be the correct ones to reach the desired goals.
It is precisely in this framework where the good leader brings out all his creativity, determining which may be the appropriate strategies to take into account and actuate to achieve the goals.
This is where the leader must motivate all team members to stimulate critical and constructive thinking without making anyone feel bad or offending.
Remember to tell someone that their ideas do not work or do not work; it would be like annihilating him and stopping him from contributing to the expansion of the organization; therefore it is necessary for the leader to understand that he should not express anything about himself that affects the motivation of a team member.
It is better for the leader to motivate the team member to find the viability of their own proposals by questioning questions like these:
How much is the cost to implement that idea? In what time will we see the results? What kind of results will we have? Do we have the resources available to activate that idea?
It is normal for the member himself to find his own answers to his own ideas within this framework.
When the leader does not have enough creativity to help team members understand decisions for the good of the organization, there are discussions, conflicts, and the synergy between members is broken; But when the leader is creative, he will always look for the appropriate and correct solutions so as not to affect anyone.
3. PROACTIVITY IS FOCUSED:
In this framework, the leader has already guided all team members to make the appropriate and correct decisions to achieve the fulfillment of goals in the organization.
It is here when the creative leader must use his tools of motivation, enthusiasm and positive attitudes to promote the feeling of achievement as a team, always recognizing the efforts of each of the participants.
The leader must prepare all participants to be proactive and focus on concrete actions with discipline and determination to cross all obstacles that have to be presented in the way of execution.
The creativity of the leader must always be framed towards opening the door of opportunities to express themselves freely in terms of ideas, thoughts, and comments to all members of the team, always marking the line of development and improvement of the organization.
It should never be forgotten that the members of every team are people with capacities and desires to contribute the best to the organization they serve.
