How to Improve Creativity Skills in the Workplace

Knowing how to improve creativity skills in the workplace is primordial.

Creativity plays a huge part in our success stories, whether in our careers, personal life, or hobbies.

On the topic of careers, creativity is proven to be the leader toward a successful story.

Lucky for us, there are numerous ways to address how to improve creativity skills in the workplace.

Quick Peek: Address These Needs to Foster Creativity

• Psychological needs of the employees
• Design of the office
• Resources
• Safety requirements
• Social needs
• Esteem needs
• Creative needs of the employees and yourself

How to Nurture a Creative Culture in a Business?

Creativity is a subcategory of self-acknowledgment.

Creative thinking drives the business forward and improves overall performance.

Thus, a comfortable, open environment is crucial for experiments that are born from creativity.

If you and the employees in a particular business feel free, open-minded, and limitless, creative success is inevitable.

There are many ways to nurture creative culture.

It can get tricky to combine formal and informal, behave as a leader and as a person of trust, or set boundaries. 

Still, there is a solution if there is a will.

If you are a leader, you have to make sure that your employees are satisfied with the work atmosphere and that you do not set any limits for them to achieve.

In that way, they will use their freedom and expand their imagination which equals creativity in this case.

That would lead to the achievement of even bigger standards.

Everyone in the office must know that there are no boundaries to creativity.

For a thriving creative culture set in the office, pay attention to the following:

• Psychological needs of the employees
• Design of the office
• Resources
• Safety requirements
• Social needs
• Esteem needs
• Creative needs of the employees and yourself

Creative culture is established as long as everybody’s basic needs are satisfied.

1. Psychological Needs

Our psyche works wonders.

We need to feel free and released from any judgment to use most of our creativity.

An office should feel formal to a certain level, and it needs to be a place of inspiration and safety.

The employees need to have everything close to them, which allows them to express their creative ideas at the moment.

It is crucial to communicate everyone’s goals and expectations in the office.

People need to feel validated and respected to work harder, so listening to them is one way.

Creativity usually occurs when the business creates a safe space that allows that.

Therefore, reward every creative move and idea.

Maybe after-work drinks in the office, perhaps a collective lunch.

It will inspire the employees to think outside the box more often if they see that their ideas are valued and appreciated.

On a similar note, there should not be any pressure or mistreatment even if a mistake happens.

Every human makes mistakes, and they happen to teach us something.

So, instead of putting pressure, set reasonable deadlines, and lead open and comfortable meetings while keeping them formal.

These things affect the employee’s psyche, and either set them free or limit them.

Another notice is the option to work from home.

In the latest pandemic, we realized that the employees have the same productivity level at home and in the office.

So, maybe combine remote working every month and leave the option open for everyone to choose the way they prefer.

This is especially good for introverts who perform better by working alone and have the comfort of choosing their working space.

2. Space Design

The design of the office is also of great importance as colors and shapes wake up our creativity, rather than just looking at a blank, dark-colored wall.

While constructing the office, think about the design, what colors to incorporate and what additional supplies you should include.

It is proven that bright colors like green, soft pink, and blue relax the mind, and in that relaxed condition, it frees itself from any block.

One color that specifically represents creativity, happiness, and optimism is yellow.

Usually, gray, white, and dark colors look nice, but they affect the mood.

They are usually connected to thunder, lousy weather, and “gray” thinking. Thus, the office would look more monotonous and cliché.

Therefore, darker and lighter colors are preferred while also adding a note of nature.

Nature is famous for boosting creativity.

So many offices have adopted that idea and incorporated green and yellow, maybe trees and grass, or pictures of a landscape.

Those elements are crucial for our well-being, and good well-being leads to high creativity.

You can read more about the topic on Actiu.com and get inspiration for your office design.

Another option is to set a break-place in an indoor or outdoor garden if the job allows.

Having two breaks of 30-minute in a garden relaxes the mind and allows it to continue the creative thinking.

Inside the office, try to set the desk toward the window if possible and if the view is worth it.

In moments of creative block, the view will play the role of inspiration.

In addition, the fresh air is also known to clear our thoughts, so no matter the window’s position, the warm air would feel refreshing.

And typically, the office has to have a comfortable chair and a clear desk with the needed supplies.

3. Resources

The body needs to be nurtured for it to function correctly.

We need food to have energy, and we need the power to walk, talk and think.

It is an ongoing cycle.

The human brain needs to have its needs satisfied, and it should be the main point while discussing what to put in the office.

It is essential to incorporate healthy food, water, different types of coffee, maybe energy drinks, and smoothies.

Healthy food is crucial for a healthy body and mind.

If you expect creative ideas and good feedback, you need to provide the office with the primary energy resources.

As Zerocater.com stated, a survey has shown that millennials appreciate snacks the most as a mid-work energy source.

So, a well-known fact is that food and healthy drinks keep the employees happy, healthy, and more fulfilled, leading to better creative results.

This type of work leaves a positive impact on others, so it can increase the interest in working in a particular company.

Therefore, when the mind is clear and fresh, it can develop better and more creative ideas.

Many companies have a gym or a room for board games that can help with the creative block or the overall process of thinking.

For instance, many people come up with more brilliant ideas while working out or playing ping-pong.

This is because the brain loses the focus and pressure of work and creates a space for new ideas.

4. Safety Needs

Safety needs may refer to the general feeling of safety or the physical sense of safety, such as a non-slippery floor, no risk of fire or flood, and enough air in the office.

It is a fact that every country has a different climate.

But no matter the country you are in, specific safety measures are required.

For that reason, every office has to have a particular part of the front entrance for cleaning the shoes if it gets slippery.

For hotter days, air conditioning is a must.

This is a critical notice because, for a person to function normally, they need to keep their temperature balanced, not too hot, not too cold.

Following that, if a person has a balanced body temperature, their brain will generally function so they can think.

As for the supplies, quality headphones are necessary if they are needed.

Suppose a person is constantly on the phone. 

In that case, tiredness and exhaustion can affect the creative process.

Following that, it is vital to take needed and longer breaks.

Those breaks will lower exhaustion and let the brain function normally throughout the day.

Also, a comfortable working environment is facilitated by good ventilation.

The calm breeze will relax your mind.

You can further read more about this on SFM.

One should secure the office with a few fire extinguishers for fire and emergency exits for a flood.

Moreover, the employees should be taught how to use them and what to do in an emergency.

Some may feel that it is unnecessary, but they need to know how to handle a situation for a person to feel safe.

5. Social Needs

As mentioned above, both extroverts and introverts have the same goal – to be heard and appreciated.

Rewarding a creative idea would only benefit the employees themselves and the business.

Work can sometimes be overwhelming, affecting creative thinking, so setting flexible hours or work-from-home options would ease that feeling.

When the work allows, organize a cocktail gathering for all employees or lunch/breakfast/brunch at least once a week.

Another exciting idea is organizing a hike or planning to spend some quality time in green and airy places.

In those moments, try to leave the topic of work and assignments out of the conversation and let it be only for fun and genuine interaction.

It would create a stronger bond between the whole office.

Aside from that, you can set healthy boundaries, which leaves a space for open conversations.

When an employee can freely share an idea without fear of being judged, it motivates him to participate in office activities, thus feeling validated. 

With the division of extroverts and introverts, maybe collaborations would help everyone to feel equal as long as attention is paid to each employee.

The introverts would become more open if they feel that they can share their opinions and be heard.

A lot of companies have also set a collective vacation once a year.

The results were good as expected in that they helped the employees create friendships, which led to more collaborative working.

Another interesting idea is to plan team-building events.

They set the team’s tone and help show the opposing sides that they need improvement.

It would also teach the employees to be more open and sincere and dedicate themselves to creating better working conditions.

Team-building has shown remarkable results, and more and more businesses are engaging in it.

6. Esteem Needs

The idea behind a creative improvement is for everyone to feel safe to express their opinions.

Often, a person can have a valuable creative idea that can further move the business. 

Still, they can stay quiet because of the fear of disrespect or judgment.

A person needs to understand that his ideas are needed, and there is no room for judgment.

It can be presented in a weekly meeting where all that is important are their feelings and opinions.

Another option is always to understand their needs and requests.

Nevertheless, the most significant motivation is increasing the salary when deserved.

They would be motivated to work harder and pay attention to their creative process to deliver a better project.

A person should not be a materialist, to be driven by money.

Everyone feels good if the time and hard work they put into a job is appreciated. 

Therefore, the boss could give a bonus, an increase in salary, a promotion, or more chances to work on bigger projects.

All that increases the level of respect and higher self-esteem of the employee, making them happier and more productive.

7. Creative Needs

All of the mentioned above combine the meaning of the creative needs.

If a person enjoys an impressively designed office, long lunches, or an after-work party, it would be for nothing if his creative needs are not met.

Starting from office supplies, spacious offices, good fundamental relations, a reward, and spacious open space for sitting in quiet and thinking will drive the creative process.

Listening to others’ ideas and showing support and help will result in a more successful business.

A part of the creative needs requires some techniques that lead to their fulfillment.

For instance, brainstorming plays a vital role in creative thinking as it helps set clear thoughts.

For that purpose, placing a whiteboard in the office leaves room for instant expression of ideas.

And, you can always come back to rewrite or add something or combine the written thoughts of everyone who is engaged.

The idea behind it is that having an excess of creative potential solutions makes it easier to reach the best one by writing down every thought.  

It can be a collaborative whiteboard that every team member can use or a personal board where you scratch every little detail.

It teaches collaboration, teamwork, and creative thinking.

Employees should be allowed to use whichever supply or instrument they need to support their creativity.

If a mood board helps with it, then let it be. 

If they need more time to research or realize a thought, they should be given more time.

The human brain sometimes works in strange ways, but it always ends with fantastic ideas and solutions.

Final Thoughts

Unlike the old times, these years are marked by technological improvement, importance to people’s needs and psyche, and more modern solutions to problems.

And, in a business world with great competition, your business needs to stand out.

Be the one that provides the best for your employees. 

Be the one who cares about the look of the office enough to implement colors and designs and greens and whiteboards.

Everything matters if you want to increase the creativity in your office.

If you are an employee, use these suggestions to improve your creative thinking and stand out from others.

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