While artificial intelligence promises to revolutionize the workplace by adding tremendous efficiencies and taking over a multitude of tasks from human workers, it is becoming increasingly apparent what kinds of work AI is not well-positioned to perform. This makes human abilities like creativity increasingly sought after among human workers.
Creativity in High Demand
A new report from Canva and Harvard Business Review (HBR) sheds light on the growing importance of creativity in the workplace and the challenges businesses face in cultivating it. According to the survey of 500 global business leaders, 90% agree that creativity is a crucial attribute for employees, but many organizations struggle to create environments that truly foster creative thinking.
One of the key findings from the report is the need for more creative input from leadership. A significant 72% of leaders who identify as lagging in fostering creativity believe that their leadership is not engaged enough in creative thinking to support their employees.
The survey also reveals that 58% of laggards feel their organizational culture does not reward creative pursuits.
The Role of Tools and Technology
Another interesting insight from the report is the role of tools and technology in the creative process. A majority of leaders, 62%, believe that AI can play a significant role in enhancing creativity by automating repetitive tasks. This would allow employees to focus more on creative endeavors, potentially driving innovation and improving job satisfaction.
Looking ahead, business leaders are optimistic about their investments in creativity. The report indicates that 87% of leaders expect their organization’s financial investment in creativity-building tools and technologies to increase or stay the same in the next year.
The findings from the Canva and HBR report highlight a crucial opportunity for businesses to better support and nurture creativity across all roles, not just those traditionally seen as “creative.” By engaging leadership in creative thinking, rewarding creative pursuits, leveraging technology to enhance creativity, and maintaining strong investments in creative tools, companies can foster an environment where creativity thrives. This, in turn, can lead to greater innovation, employee satisfaction, and overall business success.
Lin Grensing-Pophal is a Contributing Editor at HR Daily Advisor.