Barriers to innovative thinking

Want to get the juices of new thoughts flowing in your mind, in your team and others? Here are some things to avoid...

1. Distractions that interrupt thinking and creativity
2. Lack of cooperation that blocks access to the vast vault of stories, knowledge & experience
3. Stress disempowers and blocks creative thought
4. Fear; initiates our fight or flight response making people both defensive and aggressive. In all this, creativity disappears.

So what does a creativity-friendly environment look like?

The answer is one unique to each person or team. There is no Ronseal-type product you can buy to put create the right type of workplace. It takes real commitment and effort. There are however some common principles to guide effort.

1. Creating personal environments that match states of mind considering orientation, focus and sociability
Escapism, it can work, it can be a waste...
2. The balance between order and fruitful disorder needs to be right for those involved
3. A flexible system, a framework rather than rigid rules and process
4. A meaningful language when communicating
5. Communication is done openly, proactively and face to face
6. Leaders who lead by example, showing creativity and encouraging others
7. Time is put aside to give space for creative thought in line with the rhythms of pressure and ease at work
8. Flexible working styles