What does it take to manage a diverse group of creative individuals?
An extensive review of management literature produces the following list of management qualities that are essential if you want to build and leverage high performance teams. Without these skills you run the risk of losing your most valuable business asset: the knowledge and energy of your creative people. Look for these qualities in your managers, and find ways to train them in how to do these things reliably. Your investment in time and training will be well rewarded. When you are looking for effective managers to run your creative systems, you need to find people with these skill sets: 1. The ability to generate alternatives: Can they brainstorm and brainwrite as individuals and in groups to develop a wide array of potential solutions? 2. The ability to use divergent thinking: Can they approach the problem or situation from a wide variety of perspectives? Do they encourage people from different backgrounds to join the team and bring in their unique insights? 3. The ability to suspend
