Where does innovation come from and how do you grow it? Does it simply fall from the sky or are there things your company can do to promote it? The answers to these questions may surprise you. Simply, the best way to promote creativity and innovation in your company is through an environment that serves as fertile ground; one where the employee’s health and wellbeing are paramount.
We now have greater evidence linking personal sustainability to greater employee engagement, productivity, talent retention and – of utmost importance in today’s economic climate – creativity and innovation. In fact, organizations that promote employee well-being are three and a half times more likely to encourage creativity and innovation according to a study at the World Economic Forum.
Fringe Benefits
Being happy and satisfied at work not only builds the innovation muscle but leads to significant gains in performance, problem-solving skills, resilience and the ability to handle failure. Obviously, workplace cultures that promote wellbeing reap mutual benefits. A more engaged, productive and creative workforce will lead directly to increases in whatever the bottom line may be, be it customer service, widgets or sales.
When you think about it, none of this should seem like rocket science. Simply ask yourself, are you able to think at your clearest and most creative while stressed out, exhausted and under extreme pressure? I thought not.
So what would it take for you or your team to become more innovative? How would it benefit your customers or stakeholders? How would it impact your bottom line?
