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Workplace creativity is essential for innovation, problem-solving, and overall job satisfaction. While many organizations focus on in-office initiatives to boost creativity, new research suggests that engaging in creative activities outside of work can be just as impactful.
From painting and writing to hiking and photography, these activities can help employees develop fresh perspectives, enhance their problem-solving skills, and improve overall workplace performance.
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Workplace creativity and its link to personal creative activities
A new study from a Vietnamese organizational psychologist has found that engaging in creative activities outside of work, including outdoor pursuits, can directly improve an employee’s performance on the job.
The research, published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, suggests that engaging in creative and outdoor activities can significantly enhance workplace creativity by improving creative problem-solving skills and fostering better collaboration among coworkers, beyond just aiding employees in recovering from job-related stress.
“It can be rare in research to find that what we do in our time is related to our behaviors in the workplace, and not just how we feel,” said the psychologist.
Workplace creativity study: Research methodology and key findings
The study analyzed data from two groups of employees: 341 respondents to a national survey and 92 professionals in high-level corporate financing roles. Both groups provided insights into their creative and outdoor activities outside of work, their recovery experiences—such as maintaining control over their downtime—and self-assessments of workplace creativity, including their support for the organization and coworkers. Additionally, the corporate financiers’ job performance was evaluated by colleagues and subordinates.
The psychologist noted that previous research on workplace creativity and recovery from work demands has often focused on high-stress professions such as healthcare and finance. However, the need for recovery is universal, affecting employees across all industries, especially during periods of heavy workload or organizational change.
Employees in the study were free to define creative and outdoor activities however they wished, with past research showing people engage in a wide range of pursuits from writing to hiking. Despite the diversity, the psychologist said, “They usually describe it as lush, as a deep experience that provides a lot of things for them…this idea of self-expression and an opportunity to discover something about themselves.”
The findings suggest these creative and outdoor activities have a direct positive effect on workplace creativity, beyond just helping employees recover and recharge. The psychologist said this is unusual – most research finds that what we do outside of work only influences our on-the-job behavior indirectly, by impacting how we feel.
Encouraging workplace creativity through external creative engagement
Employers, the psychologist said, should consider encouraging employees to engage in more creative and outdoor activities, but in a way that doesn’t feel controlling. “One of the main concerns is that you don’t want to have someone feel like their organization is controlling them, especially when it comes to creative activities, because intrinsic motivation is part of that unique experience that comes with creative activity.”
Instead, the psychologist suggested, companies could foster workplace creativity by providing opportunities for employees to integrate their creative and outdoor pursuits into the workplace. This could include organizing departmental camping trips, displaying employees’ nature photography, or supporting workplace creativity initiatives such as art showcases or outdoor team-building activities.
Employers could also offer incentives such as discounts to local art studios, hiking clubs, or other creative and outdoor outlets. “A lot of organizations carve time out where they talk about physical heath and exercise and eating habits, but they can also include in that a discussion of mental health and the importance of recovery and creative activity,” the psychologist said.
Conclusion
Overall, the research indicates that employers who support and facilitate creative and outdoor hobbies outside of work could see real benefits in terms of their employees’ workplace creativity, on-the-job performance, and problem-solving abilities. Follow our official Facebook page now to receive more interesting information.
