Manifesto on Creativity

By Dante Tavolaro
Nonprofit Studies Program, Rhode Island College
Providence, Rhode Island

• “But we’ve always done it that way.” This phrase is a deadly one and it is used all too often. For organizations to continue to grow we must erase this phrase from our vocabulary.
• Creativity is very important and so is thinking outside the box. But there must be a delicate balance when comes to implementing new ideas. There is a very big difference between rocking the boat and capsizing it.
• Be afraid to fail. The safety in doing things the way they have always been done is that the outcome is known. When new and creative ideas are implemented the safety net is gone, there is no way to tell what the end result will be. Give it a shot, don’t be afraid to fail, and if you do fail, tweak it and try it again.
• Create environments where it is safe to ask questions. Asking questions and challenging norms are difficult things to do. If this way of thinking is allowed – if a safe space to do this is created – there is an environment where brainstorming and collaboration can occur.
• Use the "plus delta" model of evaluating projects. List out the pluses, the things that people liked. Then list out the deltas, the things people would change. This model of evaluation does not have the negativity of good and bad things, but rather things that went well and things we want to try to do differently.
• When people feel safe and comfortable in their work environments, it allows them to be more relaxed. Cultivating this environment allows peoples the space to think outside of the box, to be more productive, to be more creative. Getting rid of the uptight 9-5 world, and allowing people to express themselves (within limits, of course) and bring their own individual gifts and talents to their work will bring what they do to a whole new level.