Understand the (nonflashy) new role of leadership. First, establish a safe, respectful environment where individual creativity can emerge.  Next, focus that energy in the right direction based on the team’s core purpose and targeted goals.  To be successful today you must lead through inspiration and collaboration. Look at your current behaviors and decide which are helping you create a culture of engagement and which aren’t.  Start small—and stick with it.

Search for untapped talent on your team. Did you know that what look like plain old fireflies are actually comprised of more than 2,000 known species?  Well, likewise your employees are far more complex and unique than you might think.  Use proven tools like the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument to shine the light on these hidden talents.  Employees who are recognized as unique with significant contributions to make, become more engaged and passionate about their work.  It’s almost like hiring a team of new creative superstars.

Encourage productive conflict – aka “creative abrasion”. Are you uncomfortable with conflict in the workplace? Don’t be. Conflict is natural, expected, and can be a positive sign of diverse thinking on your team.  Keep the conflict focused on the issues and don’t let team members direct their ire at one another personally. Deal with ferocious fireflies, those toxic, manipulative employees who work hard to destroy trust and collaboration on the team.  You know who they are; the rest of the team does too.