10/25/2018 1Honoring the past. Celebrating the present. Envisioning the future.

50th Anniversary Webinar Series

Fostering Creativity in Teams

Amy E. Climer, Ph.D.

10/25/2018 2

Poll: Which best describes you at work…

1. I lead one or more teams.2. I am a member of one or more teams,

but not a team leader. 3. I am not on any teams.

10/25/2018 3

Today is about…

• Look at why creativity matters• Learn the difference between a team and

a working group and why it matters• Understand 3 elements teams need to be creative• Learn 2 techniques you can begin using immediately

10/25/2018 4

The Challenge with Creativity in Government

10/25/2018 5

Even when good ideas are presented, change is too slow

and nothing happens

10/25/2018 6

Fear of Failure (and looking bad,

wasting resources, etc.)

10/25/2018 7

Lack of resources – even if we have a good idea, we don’t have the time or

money to move forward.

10/25/2018 8

Poll: Which Problems Have You Seen Prevent Creativity/Innovation at Work?

1. Change is too slow2. Fear of failure3. Lack of resources4. Other _____________

10/25/2018 9

Underlying Problem…

• Lack of understanding of how creativity works• Lack of process for generating and

implementing creative ideas

10/25/2018 10

What is Creativity?

10/25/2018 11

Creativity is novelty that is valuable.

10/25/2018 12

Creativity is a skill that can be and must be nurtured and developed just like any other skill.

10/25/2018 13

Why bother?

Why innovate?

10/25/2018 14

10/25/2018 15

10/25/2018 16

10/25/2018 17

10/25/2018 18

If you want to be creative, you have to be deliberate.

10/25/2018 19

Why do teams need to be creative together?

10/25/2018 20

Teams are the #1 source of innovation in

organizations.

10/25/2018 21

Teams vs. Working Groups

10/25/2018 22

Teams vs. Working Groups

Teams:“a team is a small number of people... committed to a common purpose, performance goals, and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable” (Katzenbach & Smith, 1999, p. 45).

Working Groups:“members interact primarily to share information, best practices, or perspectives and to make decisions to help each individual perform within his or her area of responsibility” (Katzenbach & Smith, 1999, p. 91).

10/25/2018 23

What affects team performance?

10/25/2018 24

What Affects Team Performance?Internal

External

Input Process

• Reward structure• Organizational climate• Physical environment

• Education levels• Prior experience• Personalities• Cultural background

• Leadership styles• Org support for creativity• External accountability

• Team dynamics• Shared purpose• Collaborative process

(Climer, 2016)

10/25/2018 25

Question Break:What questions do you have so far?

Use the chat box.

Don’t be shy.

10/25/2018 26

What do teams need to be creative together?

10/25/2018 27

Deliberate Creative™ Teams

(Climer, 2016)

10/25/2018 28

What is your team’s purpose?

10/25/2018 29

How are your team dynamics?Can you be your best self?

10/25/2018 30

Team Communication: Two Ways of Talking

DialogueOutcome = understanding

DiscussionOutcome =

decision

10/25/2018 31

Does your team use a

creative process?

2 Ways of Thinking

10/25/2018 34

Divergent vs. Convergent

(or filling vs. filtering)

10/25/2018 35

Divergent Thinking

10/25/2018 36

Divergent Thinking Rules

1. Suspend Judgment2. Seek Wild Ideas3. Combine and Build on Ideas4. Go for Quantity

10/25/2018 37

Stick ‘em up Brainstorming

• Write it• Say it• Stick it.

10/25/2018 38

Which area is your team is strongest in: purpose,

team dynamics, or creative process?

10/25/2018 39

Which area is your team is weakest in: purpose,

team dynamics, or creative process?

10/25/2018 40

How might you help your team be more

deliberately creative? Use the chat box.

10/25/2018 41

Additional Resources

• The Lab, Lab.opm.gov – teaching and using Human Centered Design for government

• Designkit.org – free courses and resources

• Challenge.gov – government agencies crowdsourcing with citizens

• The Deliberate Creative™ Podcast - free

10/25/2018 42

Additional Resources

What questionsdo you have?

Use the chat box.

10/25/2018 43

50th Anniversary Webinar Series

Honoring the past. Celebrating the present. Envisioning the future.

You are invited to attend the next webinarPublic Service and Moral Courage:

Speaking Truth to Power on October 24.

Slides content is copyrighted to Climer Consulting, LLC. Used with permission.

Do not reproduce or reuse without written permission.