Comments on: Creativity & The Invisible Fence

By: Jessi

Jessi — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 18:53:11 +0000

We have such a drawn-out and intensive process to get even the most minor project started (i.e. proposals must got through a gambit of committees, round tables, supervisors, and departments) that is usually months before you hear back. The entire process exhausts me and I am quickly beginning to be very choosy about what ideas I am willing to throw into the pile.

By: Ryann

Ryann — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 20:44:52 +0000

I am both a creative type and a manager, and I believe that creativity and structure need to co-exist. This doesn’t mean that structure should restrict the creativity – just shape it. Even great artists must conform their work to the canvas in front of them. Instead of creating an environment where the conversation is limited to “Can I do this? Yes/No” discussions, we should come together to determine what we want to achieve, how we can we achieve it, and what are we will are willing to expend/risk for the project.

We need creative thinking to help realize new and better ways of serving our public in these times of change. Organizations need to listen to those within their ranks that are the idea generators. Creative thinkers need to remember that there are no bad ideas, just an idea that might need to be presented a different way or at a different time. Persevering is always more successful than giving up.

Creativity is a desired trait in employees. How do we hire and cultivate creative thinkers? An idea worth brainstorming, I’d say…

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 22:43:30 +0000

Wow! That’s a beautiful post and heartbreakingly accurate. I have definitely been in jobs like this where they would tell me to be open and creative but would totally smash any idea that didn’t confine itself to some unspoken but premeditated ideal. After the first couple smashes, I would do my projects exactly like everyone else.

By: Right On Brother

Right On Brother — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 21:06:33 +0000

You are so right, Andy. I’m afraid that the workplace you describe here is probably more common than you think and so many people, as a result, are stifled in their jobs. One could say, “then you should go work somewhere else,” but finding that place where there isn’t some amount of what you describe can be a challenge.