What My Grandfather Taught Me About Unleashing Employee Creativity Printer friendly format
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Little business man with big lightbulb coming out of his headAs a child, my father wanted to fly more than anything. My grandfather knew his passion and arranged for his 10-year-old son, my father, to take his very first flight at a small regional airport. Six years later, he encouraged my father when he decided to build his own plane. In this article, I have shared three lessons that I have learned from my grandfather that will help you foster a workplace culture where creativity is the norm and employees are both happy and productive. 

One Sunday in July of 1949, my grandfather took my dad, who was 10 years old at the time, to a small regional airport. My grandfather knew the owner of the airport and arranged for his son, a boy who wanted to fly more than anything, to have his very first flight.
 
That 10-year-old boy was euphoric! If he’d had any doubts at all, after that flight he knew for sure that he would one day fly a plane! When recalling the Big Day, my dad told me that was the day that he also knew he would own his own plane.
 
When he was 16 years old, my dad ordered an airplane blueprint from Popular Mechanics magazine—not for a model airplane, but a real passenger airplane. The first time my grandmother told me the story of my young father building his own plane, I asked, “How did he build the engine?” “He never got around to the engine. He went off to college before finishing,” she said, “but his plan was to use an old lawnmower motor.”
 
My dad told me “I actually thought I’d get the plane to fly, but Daddy knew I never would. He let me spend money on the plane, dream about flying the plane and spend countless hours working on the plane, because all of that fueled my dreams of flying. He knew that this passion would indeed lead to my flying and, ultimately, owning my own plane.”
 
When my dad turned 26, after graduating from flight school and college, he bought his own plane. His father’s support, belief and enthusiasm helped him achieve his dream. When leaders give employees support, belief and enthusiasm, they help employees unleash creativity, which can lead to a more productive and happy workplace.
 
Here are 3 ways—lessons from my grandfather—that you can unleash employee creativity for a happier and more productive workplace.
 
1. Make time to talk to your employees one-on-one.
 
My grandfather was a busy man. He was a father of six, worked two jobs, and volunteered as the church janitor! In all of his busyness, he made time to listen to his son’s dream of flying and spend quality time with him to fuel his passion. He listened with interest and took action to help his son reach for his dream.
 
Your take-away: Don’t allow yourself to be too busy to meet one-on-one with your employees to discuss projects, goals, performance and visions. Listen with the intent to find clues that will tell you exactly how you can help your employees reach their optimal performance.
 
2. Encourage creativity.
 
The norm in organizations is to stifle creativity. “We don’t have the resources.” “It will never work.” “It’s already been done.” “It’s never been done.” Sadly, if it were my son who was interested in building a plane, I would have been the Naysayer. But I’m trying to learn from my grandfather's example. I want you to learn, too.
 
Your take-away:  Resist the urge to shut down creative ideas your employees bring to you. Instead, try asking questions, being open and giving your employees your enthusiasm and your blessing. Creative employees are more fulfilled and more productive!
 
3. Believe in the impossible.
 
My grandfather knew that his son would not actually get his makeshift airplane fly. But he gave him the encouragement, resources and space to explore building a plane. This support fanned the flame of my dad’s passion.
 
Your take-away: Even if you cannot see your employee’s vision, or if you think it’s simply impossible, consider giving the support, resources and room needed to chase innovation. They just may give your organization its best idea yet!
 
Make the time to talk with your employees one-on-one about their professional passions, have the courage to believe the impossible and never stop encouraging creativity. When you do, you’ll help foster a workplace culture where creativity is the norm and employees are both happy and productive.