Cultivating Resilient Teams, Passionate People, and Dynamic Creativity
How are you feeling about 2025 so far? I've been frequently asking this question this year, and the response has been cautiously muted. There is so much to consider!
In our recent Pulse Check Survey, our company conducted interviews with leaders from across Canada, the UK, and the US; there was a genuine concern for the headwinds in 2025 (more on these results next month). However, inherent in all the leaders we talked to was a steadfast pull to feeling optimistic! Managing both reality and optimism can be particularly challenging now. Consider that in the 2025 Global Leadership Forecast by DDI, 71% of leaders report heightened stress levels, with 40% contemplating stepping down from leadership roles to improve their well-being. Trust in immediate managers has declined to 29%, a 37% drop since 2022. High-potential employees are increasingly considering leaving, with intentions rising from 13% in 2020 to 21% in 2024. Leaders also feel underprepared in strategic planning and change management, with only 22% of HR teams prioritizing these skills. Yikes.
In this current environment, which is fast-paced, non-linear, ever-evolving and sometimes incomprehensible, innovation remains the cornerstone of success for businesses across industries. However, true innovation isn't about adopting the latest technologies or jumping on board with the newest market trends—it's about tapping into individuals' inherent creativity and problem-solving abilities within an organization. There is a vital link to understanding creativity, complex problem-solving, and innovation and the effective strategies for activating the human side of innovation. The 10x factor to this is the research that reveals individuals on teams who are good complex problem solvers and creative collaborators are more resilient and engaged in work. Let's break that down so you can understand this vital system better:
The Creative Problem-Solving Cycle
Creativity is the driving force behind innovation. It involves thinking outside the box, challenging norms, and generating novel ideas. Complex problem-solving is the practical application of creativity. It requires analyzing, evaluating, and finding solutions to intricate challenges. Innovation is possible when creative ideas are effectively implemented, scaled, or commercialized to address complex problems, leading to meaningful advancements and improvements.
The Human Element in Innovation
While technology plays a significant role in innovation, it's essential not to overlook the human factor. People bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and insights, enriching innovation. Activating the human side of innovation involves empowering individuals to express their creativity, collaborate effectively, and take purposeful risks.
Cultivating a Culture for Creativity and Problem-Solving
Encourage a working climate of experimentation and exploration where employees feel safe to voice their ideas without fear of judgment. Provide opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration to leverage diverse skill sets and foster cross-pollination of ideas. Embrace failure as a stepping stone to success, encouraging a growth mindset and resilience in the face of setbacks.
Leadership's Role in Fostering Innovation
Leadership plays a pivotal role in nurturing innovation within an organization. Leaders should prioritize creating a supportive environment that values and celebrates creativity and encourages continuous learning, reflection and development. They should lead by example, demonstrating openness to new ideas, willingness to take risks, and commitment to championing change.
Innovation is not a solitary endeavour—it's a collective journey fueled by the creativity, ingenuity, and collaboration of people working together in teams towards a common goal. Organizations can unleash their full potential and stay ahead in today's complex, ambiguous, and sometimes incomprehensible climate by recognizing the vital link between creativity, complex problem-solving, and innovation and effectively activating the human side of innovation. Our mandate is to help leaders navigate this complexity, understand ways to engage their teams better, and leverage cross-functional collaboration to elevate innovation cycles for now and in the future!
Interested in discussing this further? Contact us.