What the data doesn’t tell new managers
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I’ve been sharing data – and I’m sure you’ve been seeing data elsewhere, too – about how leaders need to develop creative problem-solving skills in their staff. But there hasn’t been much talk about why, so I’m going to attempt to explain that. This will be of particular interest to you if you’re a new manager, or managing a new team.
Data Point #1
“Many ideas that worked 5 years ago aren’t working any more. Everyone is under pressure to innovate and put results on the board.”
The pace of change is becoming increasingly rapid which means not only managing the present, but also planning for a vastly different future. “How do we fly the plane while we’re building it?” is an apt description. Having more problem-solving tools to hand will increase confidence in your ability to deal with known and unforeseen situations. When there’s less fear (about the future, e.g.), there’s more confidence and ease around addressing current challenges and strengthening your organization’s response going forward.
Data Point #2
“The top business skill of LinkedIn’s 2019 list of 50,000 professional skills that companies need most is creativity.”
You may be feeling frustrated about your team’s ability to come up with creative ideas, or ability to work together harmoniously. When you have more creative problem-solving tools to your manager’s toolkit, you’ll be able to more confidently lead your team in productive, creative brainstorming and working better together. You’ll notice that they get to know and appreciate each other more, become fully invested in the team, and have more fun, which means they are more likely to stay and be fully productive.
Data Point #3
“82% of companies believe creativity can produce positive business results, generating a dividend. Creative companies are 1.5 times more likely to command a greater market share than competitors.”
Always in the background are the problems that need to be solved. Being a manager is all about solving problems. Instead of feeling like you’re just putting a Band-aid over the problem without really solving it, though, take a different view. If you like a good challenge, then you will be a great problem-solver. Knowing how to address problems with creativity will enable you and your team to tackle big hairy problems more easily, hit target, and have a greater impact on the bottom line.
At the end of the day, helping your staff solve problems creatively is the fastest way to become a more effective manager and leader of a high-performing team.