Your Generation Matters For Creatively Solving Complex Problems

Innovation requires numerous perspectives, skill sets, and levels of experience. Where better to find this these elements than in the five generations? Sure, this will produce a little bit of friction. But friction actually helps with creative problem solving: The Creative Process includes a stage of frustration, and it’s an essential part of creativity! 

WHAT?!

Yep, and it’s kind of not fair because it happens so early in the Creative Process. Stage One is Inspiration: you are called on, either internally or externally, to solve a problem of significance. Hopefully you are blessed with a passion to solve it, because no sooner do you commit than you are plunged into Stage Two, Frustration. Also known as Chaos, it happens because you don’t know exactly what you are looking for or where to look. Trial and error. Blind alleys. Dead ends. Starting over and over again. Friction is important so we can empty ourselves of all preconceived ideas about what the answer should be.

SOUNDS EXHAUSTING

Yes, the creative process takes a lot of stamina and practice. It also takes a strong sense of timing. You must know when it’s time to stop looking for answers.

ISN’T THAT CHEATING?

Ah, now we’re in Stage Three: Incubation. After we have tried all the tools at our command, we take a break and let our subconscious take over. Play music, cook a meal, go for a walk, even take a shower. Just relax. Your mind is working on the problem – you’re just not telling it what to do.

THEN WHAT?

When you least expect it—because you are doing other things—you have an Aha! moment.  Stage Four: Breakthrough. Your subconscious gives you the answer you have been looking for. You know it intuitively, and now must make it happen. 

Stage Five: Elaboration. This phase can be likened to Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of FLOW. You know what to do and you do it with total concentration and ease. All the training, expertise and experience you have acquired is put into play, and you surprise yourself by your own capability.

THAT’S IT?

Almost. The final stage of the Creative Process is Stage Six: Communication. Until we have shared what we have created, we don’t know if it is complete. Do others understand our intent? Does it make sense? Does it solve the problem from their standpoint? Their feedback gives us the information to refine as needed. Whether you are designing an equitable hybrid work policy or a new product line of wellness products, you need to connect with those who need it.

So, all we have to do is get the hang of the Creative Process and people of all ages can work create together?

Well, not exactly. Megan Gerhardt, in her book Gentelligence, warns of “The Paradox of Intergenerational Teams” (p. 117).  The increased perspectives, extended pool of talent, and greater potential for creativity can be thwarted by age discrimination, significant team conflict, and ambiguity in expectations and roles based on the same differences. 

But don’t lose heart here: The good news is that these are solvable problems! By committing to building a Gentelligent® workforce, your multigenerational teams can 1) Challenge their ageist assumptions, 2) Adjust the lens to see situations from another generation’s perspective, 3) Build trust so that all people are safe in sharing questions and ideas, and 4) Develop a Win/Win mindset.

What’s Possible?

Here’s an example from Megan Gerhardt’s article for  Harvard Business Review:

Think of a multigenerational team of product developers, merging the seasoned experience and broad client network of its older members with the fresh perspectives and up-to-date supplier network of its younger ones. Such a group can use its age diversity to build something no generation could on its own.

Take the Open Sustainability Technology Lab at Michigan Technological University, a multigenerational team that developed the first low-cost open-source metal 3D printer. Former director Joshua Pearce credits the team’s success to members’ willingness to learn from those of other generations. To develop their new product, they needed the technical skills of Gen X faculty, the software wizardry of Millennial graduate students, and the experienced resourcefulness of Boomer researchers. For example, once when a younger team member turned to Amazon to order an urgently needed mechanical component, an older colleague intervened and built it from spare parts more quickly than even Amazon could have delivered it. By combining abilities, the team developed the ability to 3D print in aluminum and steel at a much lower cost than had been possible.

Nobody likes a messy process, but that’s exactly what creativity—and innovation—really are. Solutions come when we can all commit to a little bit of friction and frustration. Each generation is necessary and brings its own skillset to the table.

And the more the merrier when it comes to creativity!