Team Creativity
Team Creativity
By: Ashlee Carlisle, Cristina Crain, Jonny Nelson, Norman Meyler, and Ryan Antoine
Introduction
Working in teams has proven to be most effective when creativity is a driving force. Individual team member contributions are extremely valuable to team objectives and goals. Team successes are only possible when a team participates collectively in thoughtful, technical, and creative ways. Teams should not focus primarily on enhancing team creativity but fostering it as part of the identity of the team. Team identity, along with organizational culture play a massive roles on how creative a project team can be. In this blog, the team will discuss how creativity is measured, identifying the four general conceptual domains for idea classification, what threats there are to team creativity, and ways that teams can enhance their creativity.
Measuring Creativity
While there are many scholars who believe current methods of measuring team creativity are inconclusive, Elizabeth Kaplunov PhD (2016), writes that there are three proposed methods of measuring team creativity. Here we explore two methods, the creativity quotient (CQ) and psychometrics.
Creativity Quotient uses a method like the IQ test. However, it is considered as unsuccessful as creativity is an abstract concept where there can be no wrong or right answer. An alternate method however is to use divergence tests’ which takes a unique approach to the individual and their personal understanding.
Psychometrics on the other hand using a questionnaire approach. This method requires individuals to rate their skills, character traits, educational attainment in the creative avenue of visual arts, music, dance, creative writing, humor amongst others.
Four General Conceptual Domains
Finke’s Model of Creativity breaks down creative ideas to be classified into four general conceptual domains.
Source: Fink, R.A. (1995).
Creative Realism is realistic creativity. These ideas are creative and outside of the box but feasible and is considered the best type of creativity. Such as creatin a work-related team building exercise. Conservative Realism ideas are feasible and used more. They are “safe zone” ideas – not as much thinking freely, but they are proven to work. Such as the idea to use a bulldozer instead of digging manually. Creative Idealism is highly creative and outside of the box, but not entirely realistic. This could be someone producing an idea to create a workspace that is inviting to employees, but they go overboard by providing a theme park atmosphere and ignoring the budget. Conservative Idealism is keeping to tradition and could be the worst type of ideas. This would be just keeping things the way they are. With this an organization would not progress.
Threats to Team Creativity
Companies tend to fail at fostering a sustainable environment by not recognizing threats that have a negative impact creativity. Team creativity can be threatened by the atmosphere the team operates in. The project manager is responsible for creating a work environment that is challenging, collaborative and taking the needed time to think. Conformity is a threat to team creativity. Having the project team just agree with the majority due to the lack of critical thinking, not willing to participate or not engaged hinders creativity. Another threat to team creativity is the difference in the team members themselves, especially in age and education. When there is are generational gaps between team members, they tend to not have the same perception which creates less communication. Team members who can use their education and experiences can tend to have more creative approaches and are more willing to work collaboratively.
Two Ways to Enhance Team Creativity
Brainstorming sessions are good to improve team creativity since they are an informal way to contribute ideas to the team. Team members also have the advantage of adding on to the ideas of other and creating a detailed plan. Conversating among each other allows for members to freely express their ideas in an open atmosphere.
The next enhancement is recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of the team members. Although the achievement may not have a detrimental effect on the project success, just being recognized for clever work and efforts gives people a positive mindset. This mindset helps to boost confidence and keep creative thoughts coming. Once it has been acknowledged that someone is doing well, the individual will work to keep earning positive recognition.
Conclusion
Creativity is key element of a successful team. It can help to keep the team members motivated and with a positive mindset. Although there is not a definitive way to quantify creativity employing psychometrics can be employed to get a loose measurement of how the team is doing. Creative ideas can be broken down into four types realistic creative idealistic or conservative. Project managers should be careful to avoid conformity within their team and internal conflicts as these can hinder the groups creativity. To enhance and maintain creativity the project manager must be sure to praise good efforts and encourage brainstorming sessions.
References
Harrin, E. (2020). 5 Ways To Boost Your Teams Creativity.
Smith, S. M., Ward, T. B., & Finke, R. A. (1995). The creative cognition approach. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press
Kaplunov, E. (2016). How Do We Measure Creativity?. National Osteoporosis Foundation. https://www.psychreg.org/how-do-we-measure-creativity/
Comments
Post a Comment