Question of the week: How do you manage for creativity?

[JoeSorge]

One of today's biggest challenges in managing others has got to be how to employ a management style that encourages, even fosters creativity. Some of the difficulty in answering this questions lies within your definition of managing people in the first place. Is a manager also supposed to be a leader? Or is his/her job to make sure that all team members work within a system?

What do you think?
How can you best create an environment that allows you to manage creativity?

[laineyd7]

Hi Joe and company - I just had a teabag with the tagline: "A relaxed mind is a creative mind." I think that sums it up for me. If I'm straining my brain, it usually helps to take a walk, sit with a friend and a cup of tea, or just go for an all out workout at the gym. New ideas emerge reliably with this method and I think this teabag was a great reminder for me.

[JoeSorge]

Laine, perfect phrase from a tea bag! nice.

[interactive_218]

Joe, reading this article Herding Cats - Managing Creative People (http://lateralaction.com/managing-creativity/) made me reflect more about your question.

[arinehartdc]

Great book would be Drive by Daniel Pink...some ideas: give some freedom for individuals to pursue side projects, be vary weary of "carrot and stick" models...use rewards when your employees aren't expecting them.