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The workplace has been turned upside down inside a world that’s constantly shocking us with new developments. With this level of chaos, there’s no finding a ‘getting back to the norm’ anytime soon. So how do businesses get back on track as their employees return to work or continue to work harder and harder to keep up with the constantly shifting priorities? The answer won’t come from the past or a spreadsheet. It will come through the innovative solutions of the employees working for their companies. But it will be critical to create a climate of support and connection to tap into the creativity needed to come out on top.
Justin Dauer, a successful and multi-faceted designer, has a new book, "Creative Culture: Human-Centered Interaction, Design and Inspiration,” releasing this month. He recommends that leaders support their employees in this time of unrest and uncertainty by embracing connection, inclusion and working together cohesively.
In his book, he shares the practical tips he’s learned to integrate into his work environments in order to unleash the creative spirit in himself and those he partners with. He emphasizes that this is far more than just some ‘kumbaya’ corporate speak. It’s a strategic way to deliver innovative results and give businesses the cutting edge. “A “human-centered mindset” means people are at the center of everything in a business: empathy and compassion guide our hand across personnel, process, and product,” emphasizes Dauer.
Some of the tips his book covers include:
1. Slow it down. Dauer sees this as one of the most critical aspects of tapping into creativity. But he acknowledges that most work environments struggle with this. Deadlines tend to drive the work vs. the impact you’re trying to achieve. It may feel counterintuitive when the world is twisting and turning in so many different and unexpected ways, but slowing down is what gives the space and oxygen for creativity to manifest.
2. Be empathetic. This can be easier that said. This requires that human-centered mindset that is the foundation of Dauer’s book. Too often, when stressful situations hit, we are consumed with our experience, our job security or our reputation. As leaders, it’s critical to be able to step back and imagine the experience of our employees. This translates into not jumping to conclusions or completely missing someone who’s ready to burn out. When people feel cared about they are more likely to feel committed to coming up with solutions. This invites their brains to generate ideas vs. being focused on feelings of resentment or defensiveness.
3. Emphasize self-care. Especially in this work from home environment, it’s far too easy for leaders to feel compelled to stay constantly connected with employees. But this is setting employees up for a fast burnout. Now that work has crossed over into people’s personal lives, it’s important that managers discuss and make it a known expectation that staff is taking time for self-care. Naps, breaks and passing on a meeting should not be seen as a negative. Managers will have to check their insecurity around whether their staff is ‘in line.’ To be creative, individuals need a well-rested mind and quiet space to connect with their inner voice and inspiration.
4. Enable stepping away. Inspiration from our environment cannot be overestimated. There’s a reason people get some of their best ideas in the shower. It’s stepping away from execution and allowing your surroundings to tap into that creative muscle. This could be a walk or nap under a tree. Nature tends to open up the mind and allow for other ideas and connections to occur that an office, desk and computer just doesn’t provide. Daydreaming is not a waste of time when included in a creative process.
5. Unleash diversity. Dauer says that, “If you’re designing or creating in a homogenous way, we are falling short as creators.” He asserts that hiring a diverse employee population and ensuring an inclusive and equitable culture should be a top priority for all businesses. How else can you build and advocate for the world you are creating for? It can’t be a simple corporate statement. “Show me your board and your C-Suite. Put your money and the decision-making power where your mouth is.”
6. Invest in creative opportunities. Dauer speaks with pride when he discusses a retreat he began that included time away with a blended team of all-levels and varying functions in the Utah desert. It helped remove the ego from how most of us show up in team offsites. You let go of posturing or needing to have the best idea that a board room tends to cultivate. Instead, laptops are closed and people are genuinely connecting as humans. It fostered a curiosity to learn from one another.
7. Approach collaborating with others with humility. Ego can be the biggest threat to creativity. It’s the little voice in our head that tells us our idea is too risky or not worth voicing. It’s also the thing that causes us to get caught up in accolades. Dauer reflects on his early years where he experienced some rapid success. He admits he learned the hard way that his ego stifled his work and his evolution as a designer. However it became the biggest gift to his career when he learned that lesson.
Dauer advises that, “Creating with compassion in an environment fueled by compassion means we never lose sight of what it’s all about: people. Beyond functioning in this manner because ‘it’s the right thing to do,’ quality of design work, loyalty internally (team) and externally (users) and product innovation are all benefits to reap.”
