Creating systems is essential for any organisation or individual who wants to replicate success. Systems help us identify patterns, streamline processes, and ensure consistency in our actions.
However, as important as systems are, they can also stifle creativity if they are too regimented. In this blog, I’ll explore why creating systems is crucial to success.
And, how overly regimented systems can stifle creativity and why empowering smart people to use their intelligence creatively is vital.
Systems help us replicate success.
Creating systems in any organisation is crucial because it ensures tasks and processes are carried out consistently. When creating a system, we define the steps required to achieve a particular outcome.
Once we have a system in place, we can replicate it over and over again to achieve the same results. This is why systems are essential for any business that wants to grow and scale.
For example, let’s say you run a restaurant. If you have a system for preparing and cooking food, you can ensure that every dish from your kitchen meets the same high standard. Consistency not only keeps customers happy but builds your brand and reputation too. You also save money by removing unnecessary waste.
Regimented systems stifle creativity.
While systems are essential for replicating success, they can stifle creativity if too regimented. When we create a system, we are essentially creating a set of rules that must be followed. While this can help ensure consistency, it can also limit the ability of employees to use their creativity and innovation to improve the system. If employees are too focused on following the rules, they may miss opportunities to improve the system and find more efficient ways of doing things.
For example, let’s say you have a system in place for how customer complaints are handled. If the system is too rigid, employees may not be able to use their creativity to find new and better ways to handle complaints. This could lead to a lack of innovation and a failure to improve customer satisfaction.
Break a stupid rule!
Empower smart people to use their intelligence creatively by allowing them to “break a stupid rule.“
So how do we strike a balance between creating systems that ensure consistency and allowing for creativity and innovation? The answer lies in empowering smart people to use their intelligence creatively. When we hire smart people, we should trust them to use their intelligence and creativity to find new and better ways of doing things. We should encourage them to challenge existing systems and processes and provide them with the support and resources they need to improve.
For example, let’s say you have a marketing team. Instead of creating a rigid system for developing marketing campaigns, you could empower your team to use their creativity and innovation to develop new and exciting campaigns. You could give them the resources they need, such as training, tools, and support, to succeed. Often the way we do things is dictated by past circumstances; things change all the time, and the way you used to do it may no longer be relevant or effective. Giving your team the authority to ” break a stupid rule” will empower them to innovate and improve.
This will make them feel empowered; empowered employees are happy employees, and happy employees deliver excellent experiences which create raving fans!
Creating systems is imperative for replicating success. However, overly regimented systems can stifle creativity and limit employees’ ability to innovate and find new and better ways of doing things. Instead, we should empower smart people to use their intelligence creatively and provide them with the resources and support they need to be successful. By balancing consistency and innovation, we can create systems that ensure success and foster a culture of creativity and innovation.
If you struggle with balancing systems and creativity, join us at the Business with Altitude Summit between 9-10 May 2023.
The event will cover strategic alignment, balancing systems and creativity, leadership, and much more.
Get your event tickets here.