Creativity is the Most Crucial Factor for Future Success

According to the IBM 2010 Global CEO Study, which surveyed 1,500 Chief Executive Officers from 60 countries and 33 industries worldwide, CEOs believe that, “more than rigor, management discipline, integrity or even vision — successfully navigating an increasing complex world will require creativity.”

Creativity is the most important leadership quality, according to CEOs.

Standouts practice and encourage experimentation and innovation throughout their organizations. Creative leaders expect to make deeper business model changes to realize their strategies. To succeed, they take more calculated risks, find new ideas, and keep innovating in how they lead and communicate

CEOs said they are operating in a world that is substantially more volatile, uncertain and complex. Many shared the view that incremental changes are no longer sufficient in a world that is operating in fundamentally different ways.

So how do organisations and leaders go about nurturing this vital leadership attribute and fostering a culture of creativity and innovation?

Learning how to develop a culture of innovation and successfully implementing strategies and processes will lead to growth and sustainability in an increasingly complex global environment.

We are all creative

We need to get out of the mindset that only some people are creative. We are all creative. Leaders need to develop that skill as they do all other leadership skills; and then start to unlock it in their teams.

As Edward de Bono said: “Creative thinking is not a talent, it is a skill that can be learnt. It empowers people, adding strength to their natural abilities, which...improves teamwork, productivity and, where appropriate, profits.”

We share a clear strategy for innovation

Adopt a clear vision and core values that encourage the pursuit of organisational objectives, including creativity and innovation. Work with all stakeholders to determine how you will go about unlocking new initiatives.

Creative and innovation leadership is required throughout the organisation. Too often companies believe that innovation comes from the bottom up. Identifying creative catalysts within the organisation at all levels can make a huge difference to delivering outcomes, but at the end of the day it is the CEO and executive team (and even the Board) who must be proactive and lead the change to an innovative culture.

Our culture encourages people to be creative

This means that the people in your organisation can communicate openly, challenge the status quo, trust others with their ideas and teamwork is highly valued. A key factor is reducing siloes and building an environment of sharing, participation, learning and fun across the organisation. Professional development of employees to help unlock their creative potential and build their creative skillset is essential to harness your true competitive advantage and give everyone a “voice”.

Failure is OK

If you want to develop a culture of innovation then it is essential to tolerate some calculated risks. It is often only through the learning from failure that we find true success.

New ideas + new opportunities = sustainability and growth

Creativity is a key driver of innovation by providing new ideas and new ways to solve problems within any organisational structure. Through managing the ideas and “incubating” and developing the best of them there is endless potential to develop new products and services, improvements and new processes that contribute to the organisation’s survival and growth.