The culture in which we create typically determines how well we create.
As we start a new year, there are a few phrases that I think are crucial to avoid if we’re attempting to build a culture of creativity in our teams. Culture is built by what we do, how we do it, and what we allow. A few of these phrases are so powerful they can demotivate and send the creative process into a spiral if we allow them!
You want to make your best, most creative stuff this year and we need that from you. So be diligent in creating space for yourself and your artists to create your absolute best!
1. My boss won’t go for it – Sure, it’s possible. But you are the creative person. Your job is to create. Always bring new ideas and new concepts to the table…just think it through before. Figure out why your boss won’t go for it and dispel that notion before you even sit down. If you come with a plan, you will be surprised what your boss might go for. You never will know if you don’t try!
2. That’s been tried before – I’m sure it has, but not the way you do it and not in this season. Maybe there wasn’t a good plan behind it before and this idea is different. Don’t let the status quo win. Change scares people, but it creates culture for creativity to thrive. What are the goals or expectations? Find those and be sure that you are going to meet them. This might just become the new status quo!
3. Our team will never buy this – They won’t if you don’t make an attempt. Take a chance because with chances come adventures and new results. Failure might create the future that you need.
4. It’s not my job – Probably true, but likely this type of attitude has more to do with the employee than the organization. If doing whatever isn’t “your job” makes things better, maybe it should become your job! Often it’s no ones job and because of that, customer experience is compromised and devalues all the other work you are doing!
5. We don’t have the time – And you never will. We fill time with things that have our attention. You make time for the stuff that matters. What are you prioritizing? If you prioritize creativity, you will be surprised at the outcome.
6. Is this too much? – Any time we make creative changes happen – changes that alter the way we currently do what we do – it will feel like too much. It takes risk to reach reward. Evaluate the cost and then GO! Too much often creates the ground for what’s next!
7. What will ____ think? – If this is a question that comes up, you need to either include them in the process or have a conversation with them about building the trust necessary to move and make decisions on your own.
8. We need more opinions. – You might need more data, but rarely do you need more opinions. Opinions are usually unfounded. Again, if you come with a plan behind your idea, not just the emotion of the idea, you don’t need an opinion. Our job is to empower people to take action. That might include building a team, but we need to create more action.
9. What if it fails? – There’s a chance that will happen. But I’d bet if it fails we’re going to learn a lot of good stuff; we’re going to be able to look back and see that we empowered people to take a chance. Chances are called that for a reason. While failure is never fun, we learn so much more in failing than we do in succeeding.
Are you ready to start creating your best art this year? Are you excited? What is keeping you from creating a culture where creativity is valued and encouraged? If you hear these type of phrases you know you have some work to do. And if you are the one saying these things you might have slipped into the status quo. Remember, we GET TO DO THIS! Being creative is a gift and we need to treat it that way!
