Did you know happy people are more creative and productive? How can we create an environment more conducive to creativity?

At our second Creativity Experiments event, guests participated in activities and discussions that help set the stage to inspire innovation. Researcher Sudhakar Lahade led the workshop and shared his research on questions around creativity. “Happy people are more creative,” Sudhakar stated. “When you are happy, you are better at creative problem solving.”

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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Start with the basics.
Does music help you focus? Do you prefer sitting on the floor than a chair when writing? Perhaps doodling on paper de-stresses you. Know what makes you relax and tense, then arrange your environment according to your needs.

Take a walk.
Research has found that taking walks or meaningful breaks can help boost creativity.

Spend time with people who are more creative than you.
If you’re feeling uninspired, grab coffee and meet with a friend or network connection who you look up to. Talk about your project and bounce ideas off of one another. Like what Steve Maraboli said, “If you hang out with chickens, you’re going to cluck and if you hang out with eagles, you’re going to fly.” You are who you hang out with.

Attendees also left with a free copy of Steal Like an Artist, an inspiring book on 10 principles that will help readers discover their artistic side and build a more creative life.

Sudhakar Lahade is an architect, researcher, and design thinker involved in innovation and business strategy at Steelcase Inc. He encourages organizations to nurture the culture of innovation, leverage design thinking, and adopt creative behaviors to remain competitive and relevant in today’s complex marketplace.

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