08.15.06
A Good Mood Leads to Increased Creativity
A Harvard study, “Sweat the Small Stuff,” found that ordinary people are capable of producing creative work. Furthermore, researcher Teresa M. Amabile found that creativity had more to do with the daily events of one’s life than productivity demands. For example, someone in a good mood was likely to have more creative ideas.
Managers can also have a positive influence on an employee’s mood which can then encourage productivity and creativity. They can:
■ Support people emotionally.
■ Monitor behavior in a positive way, such as giving positive feedback and provide information needed to do better work.
■ Recognize good performance, particularly in a public setting.
■ Consult with team members.
■ Help in a collaborative way.
