by Great decisions, innovation and creativity determine the lion’s share of our success. Understanding how to nurture each in ourselves and our organization is a trait shared by great leaders.
We are bombarded with so many options, ideas and opinions that they can leave us confused and paralyzed. This can affect our decision-making and mire us in the Noise of fear that so often accompanies uncertainty. Unfortunately, while doing nothing may feel safe, inaction can be more harmful than making an incorrect choice.
How do we deal with all this information? How do we determine what to do? How do we decide what is best? Learning to generate and filter relevant thoughts, ideas and options results in better decisions, more creativity and innovation.
The process begins with an open mind about possible solutions. If there’s no good choices to filter because of our preconceived notions and inclinations, we have limited our potential and stunted our growth. Being willing to challenge the norm, to look beyond what is accepted and expected creates a clear divide between mediocre results and great ones.
Freeing our mind to venture in unexpected directions and encouraging others to do the same puts us on the path to a better decision. When this happens, connections occur that otherwise would not be made
We must become comfortable with having an idea labeled as “silly” or much worse. We need to demonstrate the same tolerance with our team. Challenging the group to think differently is the path to innovation and creative solutions. Creating an environment, a culture that is nonjudgmental about ideas and thoughts elicits more and better options.
While it may seem at times like the group is off topic or wasting time, a great leader has learned that a certain amount of this is part of the creative process. When there has been enough, the great leader will refocus the group on the issue at hand.
Another key is knowing when the process has stalled and become forced. This is normal. It is best to disband and reconvene later. This is a healthy step forward. Distancing ourselves from the session frees our mind, and in so doing, thoughts and ideas manifest that would not surface otherwise. These are gifts from the ether. These creative, innovative solutions are golden and would be missed had we tried to force a decision before its time. These special moments often occur when we are doing something totally unrelated to the topic of focus. Most of us have experienced these flashes of brilliance. Allowing ourselves and our team members this opportunity can yield wonderful results.
When the group gets back together, it is amazing how the process often accelerates. Priorities, fresh ideas, obvious no-go thoughts are identified and so begins the filtering processing. Recognizing the best ideas and ruling out the ones that don’t have legs is the next step. Once done, the decision is made and the team moves forward together with the confidence this process engenders. Led properly, the team “owns” the process and the result so that they leave the room moving forward as one.
We can learn to become better and better at managing this process and so enjoy more creative and innovative solutions.
Key to this process is learning to resist the temptation to immediately relegate a new and different thought to the trash bin. While a norm-shattering thought may not be spot-on, it may be the seed for another idea that breaks barriers but in a more understandable and relatable manner. Great leaders are aware of this and are always on the lookout for these breakthroughs.
Learn to create an environment that is always in search of creative and innovative solutions. Pledge allegiance to the process. Allow as much time as possible for a period of reflection. Then, filter and decide with confidence. This process works. Abide by it and find greater success.
More to come.
Eric Easter is chief executive officer of Indianapolis, Indiana-based Kittle’s Furniture.
