Remote Working Isn’t Killing Creativity. But What Is?

Remote working isn’t killing creativity. 

A recent study by Northeastern University shows that there is no tangible difference in performance between face-to-face and remote teams.

But what is potentially killing creativity, then?

Here are some of the reasons: 

1. Increased workload and unnecessary activities: giving too much work to individuals simply kills creativity. On top of this, many companies have extremely frequent video calls and burdensome online checking-in requirements to keep an eye on remote workers.

Companies need to draw clearer lines between mission-important tasks and nice-to-haves to give workers more time and space. 

2. Remote work looks like office work: aside from the commute, the experience for lots of remote workers isn’t greatly different from being in a face-to-face office except that their meetings are now video calls and quick queries now come in over messenger.

Companies should encourage remote workers to embrace some of the benefits of the digital nomad lifestyle, whether that be flexible working hours, travelling more often, or throwing themselves into other interests while off the clock.

3. Lack of serendipity: serendipity is an attitude and aptitude for making unintended discoveries by accident ‒ habitually.

Google has probably done the most to crack this code with their 20%-time policy. This policy simply allows Google workers to assign 20% of their time to work on their own side projects and ideas. The only constraint on this activity is that they should be working on something that they think will benefit the company.

Not only does this give people time, but it also gives them the mandate to share their ideas. This can help people reach out to colleagues outside of their main circle and expand their network.

Companies need to focus on creating these kinds of environments rather than scheduling innovation meetings and organizing creativity away days.

Do you agree with the above points? Feel free to share your insights!

I put the link to the full article in the comments.

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