Adding the element of play to deliver results

25-Nov-09, 12:03

Creativity can breathe some life to your next meeting

Many companies, perhaps even yours, could use more play at work. Play has been proven to unleash our creative mind, decrease stress, reinforce team spirit and help problem-solving.

By bringing a creative element to meetings, we can easily trigger new thoughts and ideas. This may be a solution to a strategic problem, or a way to gain a bigger share of your market. 

It all begins by realising we learn, think and communicate in different ways. For example, some people play on their Blackberry while trying to help the team solve a problem or to create an opportunity. Others stare at the ceiling while trying to come up with an idea, or request more data and documentation before making a decision.

We all have our own style – the key is to foster an environment that promotes creative life. Some of us are very tactile and need our hands around something or to have them moving. Items to fiddle with such as blocks and stress balls are great tools to unleash our creative minds. 

Others are visual and may like to have coloured crayons to draw as they think of ideas for a new work project. Bringing in some scenic pictures and using them to describe a challenge is a terrific way to stimulate the mind and encourage the use of metaphors.

Relaxing music is also effective. This method works particularly well with people who are auditory learners and it generally sets a calm and relaxing mood in what may be a stressful working environment. Using those few tips will help improve creative harmony in your boardroom and will naturally set a more enjoyable, stimulating and productive working climate. 

Philippe Suzor-Morin is a Singapore-based Corporate Trainer, philippesuzormorin@gmail.com

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