Right before the Thanksgiving (US) holiday, I had a fantastic conversation with an Improving colleague. Lemont Chambliss and I were discussing Norm Kerth’s “Prime Directive” and wandered onto the concept of humane creativity.

I want to give credit where it is due. Lemont mentioned humane when we were discussing how we arrived in the Agile product and service development. I mentioned creativity, so this is how I arrived at the concept of “humane creativity”.

To be clear, Lemont and I met on our professional journeys in a similar fashion. The result has been, for me, eye opening and consciousness expanding.

In my opinion, we pursue technical solutions to complicated and complex problems without much thought for the people who solve the problems. I might be wrong, but this is the impression I get while reading the Manifesto for Agile Software Development.

As well, I get a similar impression from Toyota as well. It has an entire section on its website the outlines the philosophy and vision behind the company. Much of Toyota’s focus is on how humans build for humans.

Humane Creativity Is The Ideal

First, I’m not naïve enough to believe any business can create a culture where humane creativity is pervasive. Second, company culture changes over time. It may start as ripe for innovation and then become toxic and then get shifted back with tremendous effort. Finally, culture that support invention can be quickly destroy as it requires elements of positive intent, mutual trust, psychological safety, and other factors.

My encouragement is work hard to create and nurture positive culture. If it’s at the team level, great. As an executive responsible for a business unit or department, wonderful. As well, board members or senior executives have power to sustain the right environment.

Culture is everyone’s responsibility to build and support. In conclusion, take charge of making the culture ripe for humane creativity.