Fortune has released the list for which it is best known, the Fortune 500. 2013’s rankings for the America’s most profitable companies saw Wal-Mart retake the top spot followed by a consortium of energy companies; Berkshire Hathaway rounded out the top five.Some of the country’s most profitable companies are, not surprisingly, also some of the most admired in creativity and innovation. Nike, Apple, Amazon.com, Google, and Facebook are just a few organizations on the Fortune 500 list that regularly push their inn …… Continue reading →

At Disney, Cast Members are expected to act as leaders, regardless of their role within the organization. These leaders are people who commit to the identity of the organization, inspire alternative thinking, and stimulate a collaborative culture. The result is a steady stream of ideas, which we have found critical for achieving our creative and innovative goals, and for the success of the company at large.The process of leading creativity in business, however, is not always a perfect one. Creativity, in part because of its abstract nature, involves some level of risk, even failure. In a recent post on CiteHR entitled, Can Creative Persons Be Good Leaders?, the author recognizes that:“By its very nature, creativity is bereft of logic. We don’t expect to see any rationality in a Da Vinci or Picasso painting. Do we? Creativity is the free and unrestricted and usually, …… Continue reading →

Yesterday on Facebook we mentioned a common misunderstanding in regards to creativity and innovation: when faced with the task of starting something new or re-thinking something that already exists with a fresh perspective, it’s easy to sit back and think, “I’m not creative.”Of course, creativity knows no bounds. Someone who works as a customer support specialist can be just as creative with their problem solving solutions as an artist who puts an idea or concept to paper. Anyone can be creative.The second misnomer stifling creativity comes from the thought that someone’s ideas are attached to the person submitting them. This thought lends itself to a “my idea against yours” mindset and can be detrimental to the collaborative process.Remember, your ideas are separate from your identity. Your collaborative culture will be strengthened when your team understands and believes that value is derived …… Continue reading →

At Disney, the organizational creativity model is comprised of four elements that demonstrate how an effective culture of creativity and innovation can be created. What we would consider the final component of this model is the role of the leader.It is important to note that this component is not "leadership"; at Disney, Cast Members at all levels are expected to act as leaders, regardless of their level within the organization.As a leader of a creative and innovative culture, consider your relationships with the following:Structural Systems: How are you helping to take an idea at its inception point and move it forward through the structural systems?Commitment: What can you do to help yourself and others remain committed to the organizations identity?Inspiration: How are you inspiring others to contribute to a collaborate culture of idea sharing?Continue reading →

Think of words you might associate with creativity? Words like color, discovery and imagination may come to mind. Now consider this word: structure.It may seem like more of an antonym than a supporting characteristic.The reality of time, money and talent is that they are limited. As such, structural systems can serve as a foundation for which an idea can be created and a catalyst to the evolution of the creative process. Ask yourself several questions:1. What are the processes in place for the the creation, development and execution of an idea? (Yes, you can plan to be creative!)2. Who is accountable for timelines, budget parameters, strategy alignment, etc.?3. Am I managing the project in a way that will allow me to measure my results?Tell us your thoughts — When you know you have to develop a creative concept, how to you "plan" to be creative? What systems or processes support this plan?Continue reading →

A recent article from Fast Company is offering suggestions in creativity and idea generation – and not in a way you may have previously been considering. Ask yourself, "How does the next great idea come about?" Perhaps you make a connection you had never before considered or, maybe, it was the result of a more traditional brainstorming session.But could "the next big thing" come from an argument?Arguing, or "deliberate discourse," as its more appropriately known, was a phrase coined by Aristotle referencing "participative and collaborative (but not critique-free) communication." Its a way to express a variety of ideas and opinions with the understanding that everyone is working towards a common goal.This is no free-for-all, though. Stick to these five rules in your next "deliberate discourse" session:1. No hi …… Continue reading →

It is somewhat common to hear that an organization is seeking to lead their industry in growth or revenue, but how often do those organizations seek to become a creative leader? At Disney, creativity is defined as the collective expression, analysis and implementation of new ideas within an organization. It would be easy to assume that an organization must have a flashy or cutting-edge product to be perceived as "creative," yet every business has the potential to be creative. Creativity is the process by which an organization cam break through the status quo on a path towards achieving continuous innovation. So how is this creativity born? Start simple. Keep some crayons on your desk. Work with others in an unfamiliar setting. Eat something different. Breaking routine is a great way to spark your creative energy.Have you brought a sense of creativity to something unsuspected? When are you most …… Continue reading →

Walt Disney once said, “I happen to be kind of an inquisitive guy, and when I see things I don’t like, I start thinking ‘why do they have to be like this and how can I improve them?’”It was this creative, innovative thinking that laid the foundation for The Walt Disney Company as it exists today. Disney Institute Content Development Specialist, Austin Brock, shares those insights and how she believes that Creativity & Innovation can be the differentiator in the world of business. “It’s not just creativity and innovation in a product. It’s how you listen to your people; it’s how your treat your guests; and it’s how your leadership leads.”As a front line Cast Member in merchandise for the Walt Disney Company, and later a manager, Austin has witnessed and encouraged other Cast Members who have shared innovative ideas that have been implemented company-wide. These experiences are what led her to become a Disney Institute facilita …… Continue reading →

Ideas are fleeting, passive and sometimes downright hidden. Just as important as the idea may be the process by which it is discovered. The energetic and enthusiastic Jason Silva, a TED talk staple and self-proclaimed “performance philosopher” has several ways he suggests to get your creative juices flowing:• Take a Trip: This is not your “backpacking through Europe” type of trip; it’s about breaking old habits. Have something different for breakfast or drive a new route to work—be “disruptive” to your routine.• Find Yourself in Awe of Something: There are experiences in life that require you to step back and force yourself to accept the magnitude of the situation. This is a moment when we may become more receptive and accepting that things may be different than we had thought.• Continue reading →

The pressure of meeting deadlines can be a powerful force. Disney Imagineers believe that the best ideas are brought to life after being given time to mature. They spend a considerable amount of time writing and can, on occasion, find it difficult to create a new idea or keep the ball rolling. Here are several steps you can take to help avoid writer’s block and meet your next deadline on time:• Get something on paper first: Resist the temptation to stare at a blank page. Some with something, anything, to work with.• Set it aside: Sometimes the best course of action is to set the project aside for a few weeks, days or even minutes.• Come back later: Once you have given yourself a break from your project, come back and look for ways to improve the work you have already done. Consider asking the opinion of a coworker or friend.• Continue reading →