So, your virtual team isn’t very creative. The status quo and past practices are winning, but you need to do a little something different.
It can be fixed, you just need to unpack the effects of remote work on team dynamics and decision making. And only then can you keep the creativity flowing.
At T&S Consulting we know that the engine that fuels many organizations is the ongoing hunt for the spark and fire of innovation and creativity. New ideas are the building blocks of business success. But, it’s a give-and-take relationship. Companies that hesitate to innovate run the risk of fading into irrelevance as their products fail to keep pace with the ever-evolving world of their customers.
We need to first understand Social identity theory to understand group behaviours. Social Identity Theory suggests that individuals tend to act in line with the group they feel they belong to.
In the digital world, there’s been some interesting research into the dynamics within groups. One study, for instance, used computational methods to see if social groups have a particular style. The findings? It seems influence might have shifted from outgoing folks with lots of connections to those who use language in a way that’s typical of the group.
So how do you overcome this first hurdle?
One might think that larger brainstorming groups, with their diverse perspectives, would naturally lead to a broader range of ideas, thus enhancing the quality of the output. However, research suggests that this isn’t always the case. It turns out that groups producing more ideas don’t necessarily generate or select superior ones. This could be down to a group tendency to latch onto the first viable idea and not explore further possibilities. This could be influenced by group dynamics, such as a desire to conform or to align with the views of the most senior person present.
Moreover, studies have delved into the interplay between conformity, innovation, and social identity. They reveal that group norms can significantly influence members’ willingness to contribute creative ideas and to choose innovative solutions over tried-and-true methods.
Now you know all the facts, what can we do?
Drive decisions with many perspectives: Ensure a wide range of backgrounds and included and empowered in your decision making to minimise groupthink. The key is to give the same power and influence to all individuals, the most junior person in the room should be able to contribute and lead. You must also reflect at the end of the session where your idea came from, there cannot be an idea guy in the team. You are all the idea person.
Carve out some time to let creativity roam: Ensure a steady rhythm of creative space for your team to explore innovative ideas. Encourage them to take refreshing outdoor breaks for a broader viewpoint. Make sure this time isn’t pushed to the side when work gets too busy, this is a priority.
Champion innovation, even when the results aren’t as expected: Hear out fresh concepts, encourage your team to delve into possibilities, and value the effort as much as the outcome. If an idea fails, that’s okay, it will allow people to remain brave in contributing to your organisation.
Interested in building creative and inclusive team cultures? That’s our thing at T&S Consulting, we share our insights regularly on how to build a better business culture.
Comentarios