Out of all the qualities that make a great leader, it could be argued that creativity ranks highest. It’s an essential tool in the workplace that can help with problem solving or change management and projects that aren’t headed in the intended direction.

Creative leaders are actively experimental and encourage experimentation within their teams. They take calculated risks and encourage disruptive innovation. Fueling creativity can also be a great motivator and increase productivity. It taps into the emotional side of work, and with that comes the opportunity for personal growth and fulfillment.

So, how do you foster creativity, when it can feel like an elusive concept? Start by carving out time to be creative. Give your team permission to schedule time for something they don’t normally do. Let them research an area of interest within their role, or give them space to get to know how another bank department works. If you can, allow them to have flexible schedules or work in a different physical area of the bank for a change in scenery. Break some habits!

You can also try injecting downtime into the week, whether it’s 20 minutes at the end of a team meeting to brainstorm ideas informally, a fun teambuilding activity, a meeting outside of the office or a walking meeting. Physical exercise has been shown to encourage creativity, and a change of scene is perfect for outside‑the‑box thinking.

Don’t impose limits on creativity. Encourage your team to come up with ideas — as many as possible — and to share them, even if they think they’re bad. Flex your creative muscles. It’s easy to obsess over perfection, but spontaneity can produce much more interesting ideas and solutions.

On a similar note, make space for failure. Obviously, failing can be challenging, even dangerous at times, but letting it happen under controlled circumstances invites innovation, without fear of reprisal.

As a leader, ask questions to draw out responses from your team. What are the biggest challenges we face as a team? What are some creative solutions to consider? What’s the worst thing you do as a bank? How would you change it? What’s the best thing we do as a team and how can we apply it to other processes? What’s one thing you learned from someone recently and how can you apply that learning to work?

Leaders should create a space to explore ideas. Whether it’s an ideas jar, a brainstorming board or an online form, let everyone add their ideas as they come up. Give the suggestions space to breathe, then come back and discuss them all during an informal team meeting. Brainstorming in groups helps form bigger-picture ideas. Looking at things from different perspectives expands possibilities. And as a bonus, it can also be very bonding.

Incentivize sharing new ideas by rewarding the most successful ones. Start with small changes and work up to bigger ones. And most of all, remember to have fun with it.

Did You Know?

According to color psychology, the color blue boosts creativity. Blue is associated with nature, peace and tranquility — all things that create a safe space, making people more willing to explore and imagine new things.

More from ICBA

For more inspiration, check out ICBA Education’s Creativity and Innovation in the Workplace online training course.