Innovation drives a business forward, so it's important to know how to tap into it as well as harness the creativity of your team. To help you create an environment that's conducive to brainstorming and new ideas, 10 members of Young Entrepreneur Council share their best tips below.
Business is all about problem-solving, and sometimes that takes a little creativity. What's one tip you have for creating an environment that encourages brainstorming and creative ideas?
1. Promote experimentation
A wonderful way to create an environment that's conducive to brainstorming and creative ideas is to promote experimentation and support failure. Let your team experiment with ideas. It's a good way to encourage people to brainstorm, have open discussions, and create the right mindset for building a positive environment that promotes such activities. —Josh Kohlbach, Wholesale Suite
2. Build a diverse team
Surround yourself with people from all walks of life. As individuals, we are experts in a fraction of a percentage of all disciplines life has to offer. Ask those credible in their fields, across all fields, for advice. Even if it's not the best advice, you've gathered a pool of data that helps provide direction on where to go and where not to go. —Ryan Rose, JoneKiri
3. Switch up your environment
Get outside and get moving! Brainstorming doesn't happen when you're stuck behind a desk or in a cubicle. Encourage brainstorming and creative sessions in a different environment outside the four walls of an office. Use voice recorders to record the details so you're not confined to pen and paper. Encourage play. —Jared Weitz, United Capital Source Inc.
4. Encourage meditation
Have the team get quiet. A few minutes of meditation, focusing on their breathing, and quieting their minds allows creativity to flourish. Some of my best ideas follow meditation—some of my best insights are also after a vacation! Being creative and coming up with solutions to problems that seem insurmountable can be as simple as sitting still and listening. —Matthew Capala, Alphametic
5. Foster a “Yes, and...” mindset
Leverage the improv concept of "Yes, and..." In improv, a "Yes, and..." approach allows comedians (or team members) to build upon one another’s ideas with no constraints. Creativity and problem-solving die with a "Yes, but..." or "No" response loop when you're playing around with ideas and solutions. —Beck Bamberger, BAM
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6. Lead writing exercises
You can establish a more creative work environment by having your employees do writing exercises monthly or quarterly. Block out a time when everyone puts their ideas on paper and shares them with the group. This can help generate innovative ideas that will lead to more success and profits. —Jared Atchison, WPForms
7. Allow for creative expression
Nothing kills creativity like criticism and the suppression of ideas, even when they're impractical and unusable. For creative ideas to emerge, you need to allow people to express a wide range of thoughts. Make sure that you build a company culture where people know that they can openly share ideas and ask questions. Meet new thoughts with appreciation to get more out-of-the-box ideas. —Syed Balkhi, WPBeginner
8. Provide the right tools
You must have the right tools such as a whiteboard, markers, and paper and pens. A whiteboard allows you to easily draw out your thoughts in a visual way. It can also help you organize your thoughts with symbols and diagrams. Markers allow you to write on the board without worrying about smudging or erasing what's already been written on it. Pen and paper are great for taking notes. —Kristin Kimberly Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC
9. Respond to feedback
The best way to build a positive environment for creativity is to encourage your team to offer their thoughts in your company's work chat. Once people start sharing feedback, jump in and respond, even if their ideas aren't ideal for your business. I've found that engaging with employees and explaining why their strategies will (or won't) work results in productive brainstorming sessions. —John Brackett, Smash Balloon LLC
10. Simply ask your team for ideas
To have a more creative environment, sometimes you simply have to ask your team about their thoughts and ideas. Most of the best ideas come from groups that work together with one goal in mind. Holding regular meetings to throw around ideas is a great way to engage your team and create better strategies for the company. —Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms
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