Creativity Management Motivating Creativity

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.

There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be defined as consisting of a number of ideas, a number of diverse ideas and a number of novel ideas.

There are distinct processes that enhance problem identification and idea generation and, similarly, distinct processes that enhance idea selection, development and commercialisation. Whilst there is no sure fire route to commercial success, these processes improve the probability that good ideas will be generated and selected and that investment in developing and commercialising those ideas will not be wasted.

Motivating Creativity

Whilst there are the general notions of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, there are still more tangible components of creativity that allow leaders to measure, monitor and improve creative motivation and motivation in general.

Components of motivation include:

a) Feasibility. Is the task within reach? On occasion, tasks slightly beyond reach enhance motivation but simply unreachable tasks reduce motivation.

b) Distance to ideal self. The closer the task brings the individual to his or her ideal self, the greater the motivation.

c) Recognition value. Recognition enhances motivation but, equally, that recognition must be perceived as valuable.

d) Competency expansion or challenge. Is the task challenging. Does it expand the persons competencies.

e) Control of own destiny. Is the task under the individuals control? Does it allow him or her to self determine.

f) Enjoyment. Is the task perceived as fun.

Ranking all of the above is one way of benchmarking, monitoring and enhancing creative motivation.

These and other topics are covered in depth in the MBA dissertation on Managing Creativity & Innovation, which can be purchased (along with a Creativity and Innovation DIY Audit, Good Idea Generator Software and Power Point Presentation) from http://www.managing-creativity.com/

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Kal Bishop, MBA

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached on http://www.managing-creativity.com/