Why Should Bosses Attend Creativity Training?

I always insist that bosses should attend my creativity training sessions.

Here is the reason--  

In the last hour of my workshop I ask participants to list down in what ways will they apply the workshop-learning? In their own workplace. In real-life scenarios.

They come up with amazing ideas. The glee on their faces is a reward for me.

And then, as is customary, HR executives distribute a feedback sheet which I am not bothered about because I already have my feedback.

(When participants refuse to take a tea-break because they don't want to interrupt the good flow of ideas, you must be doing something right, isn't it?)

Once those sheets are filled, the photography session begins. First the group photo, and then selfies. For a while, I feel like a celebrity.

And then, someone comes to me and asks the hard question--

'But will our bosses appreciate these ideas?'

A genuine concern. Because those bosses haven't gone through the creativity training. They are still looking at the world with their old lenses. 

In the corporate boss's rooms, you might hear things like--

'Don't argue. I am the boss here, do what I say!'

If you think that's an extreme scenario, THINK AGAIN.  Because I hear that question so often.

Creative people in the organisation blame it on their bosses. Bosses don't want to experiment. They don't want failures. Who has the time to play around when the project is behind targets?

That's why I feel bosses, the senior management, should take part in my creativity and innovation training programs. I insist. 

When they understand the creative process and actively participate, the results are phenomenal. Then the ideas get converted into real-life projects.

Because now they know 'the impractical ideas' are still in development. Rather than shooting them down, they help the person proposing the idea.

Rather than saying, it doesn't work like this in our organisation; they suggest ways and means of making the idea happen.

When a boss understands the creative process, that’s a blessing for everyone!

That’s why senior people should go through creativity training themselves. And they must learn the creative art of judging ideas.

I can surely help.