The Creative Impetus Model
The Creative Impetus Model is a revolutionary approach to cultivating workplace creativity and innovation developed by industrial psychologist Karl E. Weick. The model, also referred to as the CIM, is based on Weicks observation that creative and innovative ideas often arise out of chance encounters and serendipitous moments. The model suggests that organizations should foster environments in which ideas and resources can be recombined in new and surprising ways to create new, unexpected, and valuable products and services.
The Creative Impetus Models primary goal is to enable creative innovation and collaboration in organizations by providing a systemic approach to better understanding, cultivating, and sustaining creativity and innovation. According to Weick, the model is significantly different from traditional research methods that focus on simple experimenter-designed interventions. Instead of testing hypotheses and applying one-size-fits-all solutions, the Creative Impetus Model encourages organizations to look for the chance encounters and serendipitous moments that provide opportunities for creative recombination and new ways of seeing the world.
The Creative Impetus Model is based on Weicks eight principles: 1) arrange encounters with unexpected resources, 2) access--and take advantage of--available resources from outside sources, 3) value the diversity of contributions from individuals, 4) create opportunities for divergent thinking, 5) pay attention to minor variations and anomalies, 6) practice humility in taking credit for ideas, 7) cultivate team creativity, and 8) build on rather than destroy existing resources.
The Creative Impetus Model encourages organizations to develop what Weick terms loosely coupled creative contexts that are conducive to creative collaborations. These contexts are typically characterized by a greater level of autonomy and independent decision-making and require less formalized and hierarchical leadership structures, allowing employees to more easily access the resources they need and collaborate with each other in unexpected ways.
Organizations should take a proactive approach to implementing the Creative Impetus Model. Practical steps include developing employee development programs, creating open knowledge-sharing platforms, and encouraging collaborations between departments and divisions. Organizations should also create incentives and reward systems that recognize innovative contributions from employees.
At the heart of the Creative Impetus Model is an understanding that creativity and innovation are critical ingredients for organizational success. By providing a systemic approach to better cultivating and sustaining creativity and innovation, organizations can ensure that creativity and innovation remain the lifeblood of their business and the driving force behind their continued success.
