Creativity and Improvisation

 

As proposed in visionary leadership, modeling the way is crucial in leading change. Leaders must show followers through their own actions how change can be implemented and how it can be successful.

 

Creativity

Creativity, also called divergent or lateral thinking, is the ability to link or combine ideas in novel ways. Creativity for leaders and followers is a key factor in organizational ability to innovate and change. Creative people tend to be confident in the paths they select and are willing to take risks when others give up. They focus on learning and are willing to live with uncertainty to reach their goals. These traits and behaviors help when facing change.

 

Leaders can put in place several processes to help their follower be more creative and accept change more readily:

• Leadership style. Autocratic leaders who demand obedience impede the creative process and open exchange that encourage creativity

• Flexible structure. Less centralized and less hierarchical structures allow for free flow of ideas

• Open organizational culture. Being creative and seeking novel solutions are more likely in a culture that values change and constructive deviance rather than tradition and conformity.

• Questioning attitude. Leaders can encourage and inspire followers to question assumptions and norms and look for novel alternatives instead of rewarding agreement and obedience.

• Tolerating mistakes. By encouraging experimentation, tolerating, and even rewarding some mistakes, the leader can send a strong message about the importance of taking risks

 

Improvisation

“Improvisation is a vital leadership skill, one essential to the process of emotionally connecting with and energizing others.”

 

Improvisation, a term often used for artists rather than leaders, involves creation of something spontaneously and extemporaneously without specific preparations.

 

Having expertise, knowledge and perspective on the situation are also required because without these elements, the leader is not likely to understand the leadership situation and environment enough to be able to lead. Improvisation is not a “winging” solution. It is based on deep preparation, self-knowledge, self-reflection, experience and confidence, all also elements of authentic leadership.