5 Ways Creativity Can Boost Productivity In Companies

Sometimes, the drive to get more results in our jobs stumps us more than it invigorates us. Sure, a job is a job. Our 9 to 5s need not always be cradles of excitement. Being employed is already a reward in itself—and we should be grateful for having one during times of economic uncertainty.

However, the feelings of demotivation in the workplace must be addressed. Business owners need to put their best foot forward and find ways to revitalize employee interest.

Creativity Disrupts Monotony, Drives Growth

While creativity and company productivity sounds like they do not jive, striking a balance between the two is key to getting employees invigorated in their jobs.

Here are 5 ways creativity can boost employee productivity.

1. Creativity Promotes New Modes of Working

Tried and tested formulas might be enough to keep treading the same path for results. However, when companies want to expand, going through the same route might not secure the leads they desire.

Have you heard of the definition of insanity? Yeah, no business wants to fall into that trap. Companies need to find new ways to get their job done. Sometimes they need to completely change the pipeline or how they approach the 5-day work week. Take Google for example.

By now, businesses might already be familiar with Google's '20% Rule.' At Google, employees are encouraged to use 20% of their time within the day to come up with creative endeavors that benefit them and the company. Google does not discriminate against what the employees choose to do. That is completely up to them. The 20% Rule allows employees to be creative and innovative with decision-making and problem-solving. Google AdSense and Google News are two of the direct products of the 20% Rule.

Partnerships also play a role in workforce development. Through company partnerships with industry experts and leaders, old patterns of thinking can be discarded for new ones.

Partnerships will allow employees to acquire new knowledge that could help them chart new methods to arrive at solutions for industry-related issues.

2. Creativity Encourages Employees to Take on More Challenging Tasks and Roles

Undertaking the same tasks over and over again over a prolonged period may develop in the employee's mastery over it. It causes one to become intuitive when it comes to the processes. But like an exercise routine that a gym bro had gotten used to, repeating these tasks at length causes them to hit a plateau. And whether the company would like to admit it or not, they have set the precedent for job dissatisfaction.

When employees feel dissatisfied, it's only going to take a matter of time before they decide to look for another job.

As this is the case, companies should create venues for employees to take on bigger roles. They can delegate more complex assignments to test their critical thinking skills. Maybe they can even give them tasks usually handled by management heads. These could determine if the employee is ready for supervisory and managerial roles. This allows the employee to advance in his profession.

3. Creativity Allows Employees to Author Change

When employees are able to make an impact on their work environment, it motivates them to push further. Letting employees suggest solutions to pressing company issues makes them feel they matter. This morale booster will translate to them showing up to work motivated and willing.

This type of employee behavior will prove contagious. This will also inspire the same behavior in other employees. When the company fosters this openness, the employees will realize that their employer values their ideas.

When management buys in, employees will engage in the company's activities further. The vigorous engagement will turn into a culture—one not easily affected by downturns or temporary setbacks.

4. Creativity Imbues Passion

When employees are allowed ownership of an idea or a solution for a company issue, they become invested in the company. They feel valued in the work they do and will see the solution's implementation through.

This investment is emotional and can turn into a passion. When passion is mixed in any field of work, it drives growth and resilience despite unpleasant turnouts.

5. Creativity Removes The Fear of Failing

When employees adopt creativity in performing tasks, their fear of failing is rendered obsolete. In fact, when employees are creative in problem-solving, they are given the freedom to fail.

Failure is thus seen as an integral part of the process; it becomes just another suggestion that didn't take, not a be-all, end-all.

Know When It's Time To Seek Help

Apart from affecting the quality of our outputs and overall company productivity, demotivation may signal an issue with our mental health that needs to be resolved.

As this is the case, if the issue does not fade through the measures discussed above, it might be time to get professional help.

Human psychology is complex. Sometimes, even the most poignant and realistic self-help manuals cannot aid in bettering some debilitating emotional states.

The current era is making notable progress in recognizing mental health as a legitimate issue. Because of this, companies need to get on board to help their employees.