Creativity Is The Key, Say CEOs. Do You Agree?

Wednesday 29th September 2010 | 2 comments

KeyAccording to a major new IBM survey of more than 1,500 Chief Executive Officers from 60 countries and 33 industries worldwide, chief executives believe that the most important attribute for successfully navigating an increasing complex world is creativity. They thought that creativity was more important than rigor, management discipline, integrity or even vision.

As IBM said in their press release: 'Conducted through in-person interviews with senior leaders and consultants from IBM's Global Business Services division, less than half of global CEOs believe their enterprises are adequately prepared to handle a highly volatile, increasingly complex business environment. CEOs are confronted with massive shifts - new government regulations, changes in global economic power centers, accelerated industry transformation, growing volumes of data, rapidly evolving customer preferences - that, according to the study, can be overcome by instilling "creativity" throughout an organization.'

The study found that creative leaders:

  • Expect to make more business model changes to realise their strategies.
  • Invite disruptive innovation, encourage others to drop outdated approaches and take balanced risks.
  • Consider previously unheard-of ways to drastically change the enterprise for the better setting the stage for innovation that helps them engage more effectively.
  • Are comfortable with ambiguity and experiment to create new business models.
  • Score much higher on innovation as a crucial capability and more of them expect to change their business models.
  • Are courageous and visionary enough to make decisions that alter their status quo.
  • Will invent new business models based on entirely different assumptions.

So, if creativity is the key, what can you do to make sure you get to unlock the door to success? (Sorry about the pun, couldn't resist it...)

Tag: creativity

Comments

  1. Yes, I agree, creativity is an essential and underrated attribute. The question is, do these CEOs hire for creativity? Or do they try to 'instil' creativity in a workforce hired through uncreative methods?

    Posted by Monique Beedles | Wednesday 29th September 2010 @ 7:30pm

  2. Thanks Monique, provocative question. I haven't seen any research on this, but my guess is those who value creativity must look for it in new hires?

    Posted by Joanna Maxwell | Monday 4th October 2010 @ 11:02am

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