How to recognize a creative genius in the workplace?
In the workplace, the creative genius usually stands out for his or her ability to generate ideas at critical moments, his or her innovative nature and his or her capacity to work autonomously. These characteristics, often idealized in television and movies, project a person who seems to have an almost mystical creative process. Such is the case of characters like Don Draper from Mad Men or Tony Stark in Avengers. However, it is important to question whether these traits are always beneficial in a work context.
What characterizes a classic creative genius?
- Casual dress and relaxed attitude: They are people who could dress outside corporate codes and maintain a casual attitude.
- Capacity for innovation: They generate striking and novel ideas that usually save the situation at the last moment.
- Autonomy at work: They do not usually need to be continuously present in a common physical space, but have their own moments of inspiration.
What are the weaknesses of this type of genius?
- Mystical and incomparable process: It is often difficult for them to explain their creative process and they tend not to be good mentors.
- Unpredictability and lack of teamwork: They may change a project at the last minute, generating confusion among their colleagues.
- Temperamental and uncommitted to agreements: They may break previous agreements, forcing their colleagues to adjust on the fly.
Why is the concept of the creative genius evolving?
Increasingly, companies are adopting co-creation models, where the focus is on collaboration not only between different team members, but also with end users. This shift focuses on inclusive processes, accessible tools and common languages to ensure effective communication.
What does an inclusive process entail?
An inclusive process requires clearly defining not only the objective to be achieved but also the methodology to be used. As in a sports team, each member must have a specific role to ensure collective success. The key is that all participants feel valued and on an equal footing.
- Define roles and methodologies: Ensure that each team member is clear about their responsibilities and how these will contribute to the common goal.
- Eliminate the 'them' and 'us' mentality: Everyone involved must be an integral part of the project, without creating divisions.
How to establish a common language?
A common language goes beyond language, involving shared norms, behaviors and communication channels. This helps everyone to be aligned in the way ideas are expressed and developed.
- Unification of jargon and terms: Everyone must understand and use the same terms within the context of the project.
- Clear communication standards: Establish how and when ideas will be communicated, either generally or with technical specifications.
What are accessible tools in a creative process?
Accessible tools allow all team members to participate equally in the creative process, ensuring that everyone has a voice. A platform such as Figma is excellent for this purpose, as it facilitates real-time collaboration from different parts of the world.
- Use of digital collaboration tools: Platforms like Figma enable seamless interaction between designers, developers and product managers, without physical barriers.
- Encourage active participation: Provide the necessary materials and means so that all ideas can be expressed, even in a rudimentary way, during creative sessions.
Finally, this collaborative approach not only improves team dynamics but also fosters continuous innovation and effective solution development. The more open we are to inclusion and collaboration, the more robust and creative the results will be. Co-creation is the future!
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