When I look back on my career, I can recall times when freedom to think outside of the box spawned innovation and creativity, but through a phase where I was pressed way beyond my perceived ability, I did some amazing things. During this 10+ year phase, I pressed others in my group to to stretch out also - the mood in the engineering group was awesome! We'd have whiteboard sessions where the most amazing solutions to problems were offered simply because each understood the limitations, constraints, and limited resources we had at our disposal.
This is a fascinating perspective on the relationship between constraints and creativity. How do you reconcile this with the human need for autonomy? While constraints can channel creativity, people often thrive on a sense of ownership and freedom in their work. Are there strategies to design constraints in a way that still allows individuals to feel autonomous and empowered, rather than restricted?
I think autonomy has more to do with how much rope the leader gives and less with the constraints to solve the problem. Similar to Dave Clelland's post, I used to lead a team of data analysts. We'd post a seemingly impossible problem on a big rolling whiteboard and, as a group, identify the constraints we were working under. The autonomy part kicked in, with each person having the freedom to work on as much or as little of the problem as they chose.
When I look back on my career, I can recall times when freedom to think outside of the box spawned innovation and creativity, but through a phase where I was pressed way beyond my perceived ability, I did some amazing things. During this 10+ year phase, I pressed others in my group to to stretch out also - the mood in the engineering group was awesome! We'd have whiteboard sessions where the most amazing solutions to problems were offered simply because each understood the limitations, constraints, and limited resources we had at our disposal.
Thanks for your insight here, David.
Do you care to share an example of creative innovation that your group was particularly proud of?
This is a fascinating perspective on the relationship between constraints and creativity. How do you reconcile this with the human need for autonomy? While constraints can channel creativity, people often thrive on a sense of ownership and freedom in their work. Are there strategies to design constraints in a way that still allows individuals to feel autonomous and empowered, rather than restricted?
I think autonomy has more to do with how much rope the leader gives and less with the constraints to solve the problem. Similar to Dave Clelland's post, I used to lead a team of data analysts. We'd post a seemingly impossible problem on a big rolling whiteboard and, as a group, identify the constraints we were working under. The autonomy part kicked in, with each person having the freedom to work on as much or as little of the problem as they chose.
I think this means- Pressure is precious?!
Great insight about imposing constraints through leadership! Sometimes we're robbed of the opportunity to be creative by providing perfect conditions.