In addition to the epidemic and damaged supply lines, several experts are now anticipating an impending recession as 2023 draws closer. But innovation, the cornerstone of every disruptive choice, lies on the other side of uncertainty. The people who take advantage of these chances will be the leaders who can be innovative, flexible, and open-minded in the face of uncertainty.
While today’s CEOs greatly benefit from inventiveness, it is not a requirement for success in an unstable environment. Anyone who has the fundamental qualities of a successful leader—being well-organized, committed, and open-minded—can surround themselves with imaginative people to bounce ideas off of. As a result, the less innovative leader has the chance to create the environment necessary to develop and maintain their competitiveness even in tumultuous times.
Recruit innovative individuals.
The best strategy to foster creativity for those with strong leadership skills but less originality is to actively seek out creatives. At the most fundamental level, even having stimulating talks with someone creative and open-minded can stimulate the development of a fresh viewpoint or method of problem-solving. You can harness their creative energy and channel it into a skill set that is compatible with your aptitudes. Then encourage your employees to be creative. Leaders who struggle with creativity might use the creativity of others as a structured opportunity to test-drive similar creativity on their terms by asking creative people for assistance.
Having said that, even the most creative CEOs could make better decisions by using the perspectives of other creative minds. My team members assist me in keeping up with quickly changing industries so I can use the most recent information to make better decisions. When you need inspiration, enlist the help of advisors or look for a team of individuals to rely on. Lean on the knowledge and experience of your strong board of creative thinkers from a variety of backgrounds to direct your achievement. You may turn challenges into opportunities with their assistance, especially during stressful times.
Any suggestions are welcome
Because I want my team members to feel at ease approaching me with their ideas, I make it a point to remain open and upfront with them. This mindset has even extended to my family. My daughter manages multiple artists and is quite active in social media and SEO. She frequently approaches me to share her novel concepts, which I may not always fully get. However, when I am able to connect her expertise in those fields to the work I do as a leader, it truly impresses me. She also always requests to hear my “old school” ideas because she recognizes the value of being receptive to the creative ideas of others for her own creativity.
As a leader, you must be open to adopting those thoughts and prepared to give credit where credit is due since the next big thing for your business could come from anyplace. Make a space where individuals feel comfortable sharing brilliant ideas. Thank them for their contributions and encourage them. Always acknowledge those who come to you with innovative ideas. Team members can understand how their activities genuinely affect business success by seeing your appreciation for them, and they may even start looking for more opportunities to fix issues.
Continually learn new things.
A corporation needs leaders that are open-minded to new ways of thinking and doing, receptive to changes, and willing to learn and adapt in a continuously changing environment. Even in less uncertain times, no one will want to work with a CEO who thinks they already know everything because they have an inflated sense of self. I like to think of myself as a master of none, who is knowledgeable about a lot of things but not everything. I regularly read books and listen to podcasts since the world of information these days moves so quickly. I advise remaining open to learning more as a leader. This encourages innovation.
Look for chances to keep learning. Find engaging subjects that can advance your knowledge or abilities in a particular field that is helpful to your organization, and make an effort to maintain them current. Keep up with current events and trending topics on social media to discover what inspires creativity, even if it appears out of your usual comfort zone. All executives would benefit from reading about or tuning in to learn about the most cutting-edge creative methods in various fields because technology, media, and marketing are changing so rapidly on a daily basis. Then, you can consider how to apply them within your business and put these newly acquired tactics into action.
Great leaders use inventiveness to ensure that their businesses not only survive, but also grow during unpredictable times. Even the most seasoned CEO would benefit from encouraging innovation in those around them, particularly as they prepare for the possibility of an impending recession and the uncertainty that lies ahead. Always keep studying, keep up with significant issues, and keep an open mind to fresh ideas wherever you may encounter them.
