Integrative and interventional psychologist, coach, radio host and founder of The Center For Integrative And Functional Health And Wellness.
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I believe a great leader doesn’t have the continual need to show everyone how brilliant they are. They are already confident of that. You are in leadership because you took a risk and you had an idea that you pushed beyond the limits of possibility. Your role now is to find people inside the company who will push beyond their limits as well.
Why? Greatness doesn’t stay great forever. Technology moves too fast to be passive. You have to think beyond what you know and can see. As such, it's important leaders are able to tap into the creativity of their teams to help their organizations get (or stay) ahead. Below are my tips for getting started:
Leverage brainstorming.
Great minds know how to pull collectively, as our status quo changes every day. You don’t have time to sip tea on the balcony right now. Some companies come up with one or two products or ideas, and they expect that to carry them 70 years down the road. It won’t. From my perspective, you're on the losing end if you're only trying to keep up, rather than moving beyond.
For this reason, I consider brainstorming the most vital part of creativity. It is good if you can gather a group and collectively pour your juices in the same vial. There is power in unity. What starts as many small seeds of an idea can become the emergent fuel that primes the engine and starts a fire within your company that outshines your competitors.
When forming this group, don’t look for team members who say "yes" to everything. Instead, look for individuals who come up with their own ideas. A lot of employees are going to tell you how great your ideas are, but you should be looking for those who aren't afraid to ask questions and will go beyond, "I like your ideas," to "Did you ever think of doing it this way?"
Once in groups, collaborate and build confidence by letting everyone know their ideas will be considered until those suggestions are deemed not good or not good enough (yours included). Validate their creative attempts, but let them know that you collect the trophy as a team, not individually. That being said, do keep your eyes open for those who truly are gifted in a particular area.
Additional best practices to keep in mind during these group brainstorming sessions include:
1. Make sure everyone understands the company’s passion. Why was it even founded? How can you create that passion in others and make them want what you have to offer vs. what others might be offering? Conduct market research to establish validity for your product. How can you keep what you are offering original? Decide which areas are weak, and determine how to strengthen them.
2. Tell the group if you don’t particularly like an idea and why. Conversely, encourage others to do the same. This is why they call it brainstorming. However, never belittle anyone’s ideas. Congratulate them for forward-thinking, and encourage them to press into it more. You want their support, and you want your team to think of themselves as key stakeholders in the company, too. Keep in mind that without the work of the team, your doors could soon shut.
3. Give credit where credit is due, reward creativity and praise your team for every breakthrough. Order lunch for your team on brainstorming days (and you foot the bill). Then, celebrate big at the end. Perhaps you could even host a company party (when it's safe to do so), and have each employee bring a guest.
Show vulnerability.
In my view, another important aspect of unleashing your team’s creativity is being real and vulnerable. We all have our weak moments and blind spots. Be honest about who you are and what’s at stake. Being real speaks volumes and can not only build your team's confidence but also yours. You might even find a real burden has been lifted when you share successes along with failures. I've found doing so also builds comradery within the ranks. In my experience, people are more likely to share ideas when you're transparent, and that’s when the real brainstorming starts. You will likely see unbelievable growth, not just in the company but also in all the people around you.
Being honest takes nothing away from who you are. I believe you can gain more support and admiration, which can help when you face any fears or doubts you might have. Vulnerability says we’re human and we’re all in this together. Yes, there should be definite boundaries for what you share as a leader and for what others share in the group as well, but we’re talking about dreams and visions for the future of your company.
The Takeaway
A true leader unlocks and develops the hidden treasures in those around them. They recognize the talent needed to lead future generations and perpetuate greatness — and they endeavor to cultivate it.
From my perspective, everything is reciprocal in life; not just our actions and attitudes but also our thoughts. As such, look for great things to happen. Expect them to. Expect people to continually surprise you with their creativity and talents. If you always view everything in a negative way, then I believe you generally will not succeed for long. I find that great things happen when you least expect them to. Seize those moments, keep a great attitude and push yourself toward not perfection, but excellence.
Look for the excellence in those around you, and don’t forget to show yours off every day as well. People expect great leaders to be great. Don't disappoint them or yourself.
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