Marissa Kinler
James Logan
Management 6401
8 December 2014

Abstract

After researching the topic, I came to the conclusion that creativity is crucial in remaining as a top innovator in any competitive market. Today’s top leading companies did not become successful by simply “getting a job done”. A successful organization reaches full potential when things get creative. Creativity sparks new ideas, which in turn sparks innovation. I think that creativity is an important human resource in today’s job market, and it is important to understand how creativity is fostered in leading organizations.

Purpose of the Research Paper

As a recent college graduate, it was harder than expected for me to find a flexible job that allowed me to be a graduate student full-time. I took a job six months ago with a family friend’s insurance agency as an “administrative assistant”. Needless to say, I do not enjoy it. I have always thrived in teamwork and giving creative input for projects. I know that this job is only temporary, but it has made me realize what type of career I really am looking for. As I explore and look for long-term opportunities for post-graduation, I am looking for a place where I can succeed, and be also encouraged doing so. I want to look into careers that really allow me to expand on my ideas and have opportunities see those ideas play out. I think that in today’s job searching and hiring process, creative thinking is a trait that sticks out to employers and organizations when you are up against other potential candidates.

The purpose of this research paper is to see how leading top innovators view and handle creativity in their designated workplaces. Without creativity, there is no novelty or any aspect that allows companies to stand out amongst their competition. Companies want to hire people who they believe can create ideas that stand out from competitors. Effective leaders foster this creativity by exhibiting crucial leadership skills. This research paper strives to determine successful strategies, guidelines, and traits in which leaders of an innovative organization can foster the creativity within its resources.

Marissa Kinler
James Logan
Management 6401
8 December 2014
Fostering Creativity in the Workplace Creativity is using imagination to come up with an idea that is unique against others. In today’s world, creativity is a business. Creative thinking is not just limited to artists such as designers, sculptors, painters and even architects; today, it has expanded into the foundation of almost every successful organization. In a way, businesses today are “artists”. They create ideas that evolve into innovative products and services that are extremely valuable. Surprisingly, creativity plays a crucial role in the way that innovative organizations develop and operate.

In 2010, IBM conducted a global study of 1,533 chief executive officers from 33 different industries worldwide. The results show that sixty percent of CEOs believe that creativity is the most important leadership quality. In this survey, the aspect of creativity beat out other qualities such as vision, integrity, global thinking, and even management discipline. An organization thinking outside of the box is how new ideas arise which set it apart from other organizations. Creativity leads to novel ideas that companies strive for to remain competitively advantageous. The results of this study show that leaders should invest in enhancing creativity in the workplace if they intend on seeking and sustaining innovation (Nikravan).

Edward De Bono, a successful author and past Nobel Prize of Economics nominee, has published many works regarding creative and effective thinking. Many leading organizations, such as IBM, have looked towards De Bono’s direct teachings. One of De Bono’s most well known quotes is that, “there is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no