problem solving<\/a>. Whenever someone comes up with a way to solve an issue– whether it\u2019s a way to be more efficient, a way to improve a service, or even dealing with disgruntled customers, that\u2019s peak creativity right there!<\/p>\n\n\n\nThat means that creativity isn\u2019t a rare commodity. It\u2019s something that exists everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creativity doesn\u2019t just solve problems. It makes money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the UN Conference on Trade and Development Creative Economy Outlook report in 2018, the creative goods\u2019 global market– which includes fields such as fashion, film, and design– has dramatically increased from 2002 to 2015, going from $208 billion to a whopping $509 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But that\u2019s in creative business, does the same apply to others? The answer is an obvious and resounding \u201cYes!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An IBM study found that among 1,500 CEOs, the single <\/em>most important skill listed for leaders was creativity. It was also found that leaders who picked creativity as one of their top three leadership traits were 20% more likely to go for business model innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTo quote the same report, \u201cTo operate more effectively in a volatile environment, creative leaders strongly encourage and experiment with all types of business model innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the future– the very near future, we might add, artificial intelligence will play a larger role in every industry. The World Economic Forum\u2019s Future of Jobs predicts this. Backing this claim is artificial intelligence expert, Kai-Fu Lee, who believes that within 15 years, automation and AIs will replace more than half of the human workforce. When AIs replace manual tasks, what people scoff at as \u201csoft skills\u201d such as problem-solving, analytical thinking, ideation, innovation, and creativity, will be the only skills that cannot be replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s because creativity is such a uniquely human trait that it cannot be artificially replicated or replaced by any sort of algorithm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The World Economic Forum also estimates that creativity\u2019s spot as the third most important skill for employees will be cemented soon enough, third behind problem-solving and critical thinking. They say, \u201cWith the avalanche of new products, new technologies, and new ways of working, workers are going to have to become more creative in order to benefit from these changes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IBM hails creativity as the number one <\/em>factor that results in future business success, placing it above factors such as vision, management discipline, and integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe reason creativity is given so much importance is creative leaders stand out for their ambiguity, which is the vital quality of being open to more than one interpretation. With industries constantly pushing the boundaries, leaders need <\/em>to be ready to cope with evolving priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCreativity and innovation are near-synonymous. Companies who continue to produce outdated and unappealing services or products– that no one wants anymore\u2014don\u2019t survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has long surpassed the age of a company simply needing to lower its prices to stay competitive. Now, smarter methods are necessary to maintain customers\u2019 interest. Companies need to stay at least one step ahead. They need to be so innovative that they can predict a customer\u2019s need before the customer does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the best things about creativity and the reason it belongs on the list of the most important skills employees need is that it does wonders towards increasing a person\u2019s productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creativity breeds motivation, and it helps employees feel excited about pushing themselves to do their best and explore uncharted territories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Business creativity also improves overall morale as it makes people feel appreciated. It helps them grow professionally. It also encourages feedback– healthy feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creative thinking is an essential problem-solving skill. Whenever a situation arises where there is a challenge or a problem, you can bet everyone\u2019s heads turn to the most creative person in the room, as they can be trusted to see this as an opportunity to fix or improve the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because they\u2019re able to come at it from a different viewpoint or approach it from a different angle, their solutions are unique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No one said it\u2019s easy. Creative problem solving takes a considerable amount of effort and time, as well as collaboration from your team; it\u2019s an irreplaceable skill in any workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take a company like the ever so innovative Apple, a company whose name is synonymous with creativity. Their entire motto is about standing out and thinking differently. For over a decade, Apple has been at the top of Boston Consulting Group\u2019s list of \u201cThe Most Innovative <\/em>Companies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nThat means that despite being a tech company, they speak for innovation, creativity, and design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The public perceives nearly everything that Apple does favorably. Even though, let\u2019s say, a person is comparing a Samsung and an iPhone, there is something more creative in the latter. They revolutionized the smartphone industry, virtual assistants, facial recognition, and more. That means customers, and the user experience, are directly related to the creativity of a product or service. It\u2019s a fact: creative companies are infinitely more successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Forrester survey interviewed numerous executives to test their theory about just how important creativity is to business. The survey found that 82% of the executives mutually agreed that creativity benefits companies. They listed some of the benefits, like increasing their revenue and having a greater market share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
58% of the executives added that when they\u2019re setting goals, they do it around creative outcomes. Another 48% said they would rather give funding to new ideas that come out of creative brainstorming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, creativity shouldn\u2019t be dismissed. It\u2019s not frivolous, unnecessary, a waste of time, or a waste of resources. It is<\/em> vital and deserving of a spot among the most important traits and skills in business. Employers should seek to reward creativity when they find it and to encourage it by providing their teams with flexibility. The results are nothing short of extraordinary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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