Why be Creative at Work?

Why even try to be creative at work? So why should you bother looking more closely at creativity or even encourage it from your staff? For one thing, promoting creativity at work has many benefits and an organization's continued survival may depend on it.

Technology has made the world small. We are all part of a global marketplace calling for constant innovation and reinvention to keep pace with the of demand for new products and services. Things change fast, often in the blink of an eye. What worked yesterday and today might not work tomorrow. Success is no longer measured by profit and inventory but through human, intellectual capital.

Today, fresh solutions to problems and inventing new products and services for an ever-changing market is how businesses thrive and grow. Ideas are the intellectual capital that gives a competitive edge. Embracing creativity allows organizations to find new connection and insights, spot opportunities, and then act on them.

Human talent is the new working capital. The imagination and creativity of the human mind can't be outsourced. Even old-school Fortune 500 companies have realized human talent is an important asset and are tapping into this resource.

Just like building muscles, practicing creativity increases problem solving skills. If a business doesn't use its machinery to its full capacity, they are losing money with them. What about your organization's human capital? Are you using it to its potential?

This article was excerpted from the book Growing Great Ideas: Unleashing Creativity at Work, now available at LULU.com in download or print version.