exhibitor q&a
Ask Dan

QI want to encourage my staff's creative problem-solving at shows. How can I do that?
To spark your team's creativity during shows, focus on building a supportive environment that provides employees with plenty of autonomy.

The atmosphere you create should allow staff to suggest or test ideas without fearing failure. Share your own mistakes to show that failure can be a learning opportunity. Following that, give them the freedom to experiment and make decisions on the spot within clear boundaries. This helps them take ownership and be more responsive to unexpected challenges.

Host pre-show brainstorming sessions with the goal of producing a lot of ideas without judgment from others within the group. Try "what if" scenarios to encourage examining problems from different angles. Keep it fun and relaxed because that makes it easier for people to be creative. High stress levels (common at shows) hinder complex problem-solving, so incorporating light elements into your planning can help keep minds fresh and engaged. Finally, facilitate sessions where team members can share their expertise and experiences. You'll find that the more interesting brainstorming sessions you hold, the more creative success you'll have.

Dan Lumpkin, organizational psychologist, is the president of management-consulting company Lumpkin & Associates in Fairhope, AL.
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