How to Stifle Creativity and Innovation

ducks lined up in a row

If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn’t thinking! — General George Patton The quickest way for a manager or leader to stifle innovative and creative thinking is for the leader to discourage the team from disagreeing with each other.  The other quick method for stifling breakthrough thinking is for the leader to always insist that…

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Idea Quota for Innovative and Creative Solutions

a light bulb placed on a black chalkboard with idea bubbles

How to Involve Your Team in Problem Solving Resolving problems in organizations often requires managers to take off their usual supervision hat (telling their employees what to do) and put on their facilitation hat (asking their employees what to do). As these managers have learned, seeking the input of their employees who do the work…

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Observation for Innovative and Creative Problem Solving

How to Improve Innovation Let’s face it busy operational managers and senior leaders need solutions!  They recognize that today ordinary, quick-fix solutions have limited benefit in an environment where constant change is routine.  These managers and leaders want innovative solutions to the problems they face in the workplace.  In working with business professionals, I often…

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