Unleashing Creativity at the Workplace

Organizations that have survived are those which continuously reinvented themeslves. Those which did not, died. Doing old things does not give resluts in the new time. Examples of companies that suffered due to an inability to innovate or to accept change abound. Kodak, Blackberry, Nokia, Hindustan Motors are such examples. On the other hand, Amazon, Apple, Wipro, Tata are a few examples that repeatedly came up with new strategies, new products and new services which have helped them thrive over the years.

To innovate, a company needs ideas. Creativity, or the generation of novel and useful ideas, is a capability that an organization can nourish and nurture.

In this course, we will start with an introduction to creativity. We will discuss the creative personality, the creative process and the creative organization. We will look in depth on those ways in which an organization can enhance creativity to get value out of it.

We will discuss concepts and enrich those with examples. Each section will have some interesting, creative assignments which you will enjoy, while you learn through them. And, what's more, you will also be drawing out a plan to enhance creativity in your own firm or unit.

The intersting thing is that creativity is fun, it is enjoyable and exciting and everyone can be creative. Creativity is powerful, it can change your company, your world. Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowldege. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."

Module 1. The significance of creativity for organizations

Module 2. What is creativity: definition, componential model, convergent vs. divergent thinking, stages of creative thinking.

Module 3. The creative person: trait, creative self-efficacy, affect, achievement motivation. The creative team/group: group processes. The creative organization: factors which have an impact.

Module 4. Ways to enhance relevant factors at individual level, and factors at team and firm levels.