Leadership traits promoting a culture for creativity and innovation in the workplace The first trait is the innovativeness of leaders. For leaders to encourage innovation, they ought to be innovative too as they cannot encourage what they are not (Amabile & Khaire, 2008). Secondly, leaders should be open-minded individuals. This implies that they should show respect for new ideas; be happy to welcome new ideas by accepting and valuing the contributions of their staff. The third trait is that leaders should be people who create positive environments. Employees can come up with innovative ideas in an environment where they are appreciated and encouraged to do so (Habel, 2009). To oversee such a change, leaders should be visionary and strategic people. When leaders are keen on meeting the organization’s strategic goals, they nurture a team of people with such qualities too. In effect, a leader with an exciting vision encourages contribution and innovative ideas from their employees (Amabile & Khaire, 2008). The fourth trait would be a motivating and inspirational leader. When leaders motivate and inspire their employees to do better, they enable them to devise better ways of meeting the company goals. Innovation is one such means (Tushman, Smith & Binns, 2011). Further, when problems arise in the organization, innovative leaders should encourage different problem-solving measures than the customary means. Creative, problem-solving leadership attributes foster innovation among employees (Habel, 2009). Humanistic leaders are also able to foster creativity and innovation. Ideally, treating employees with consideration makes them feel more appreciated and innovative. Further, leaders ought to engage their employees in decision-making, among other things. Leaders who allow employees to contribute to decision-making promote innovation as the workers are not scared of coming up with new ideas for fear of rejection (Habel, 2009). Further, a leader should be stimulative. They should not just follow rigid structures; the leader should allow their employees to think freely by encouraging them to think out of the ordinary. Diversity is another trait that fosters innovation and creativity. Thus, a leader should be diversely minded (Habel, 2009). It is imperative that all the company’s employees feel like they belong. This way, they will devote their talents and skills to better the organization. Above all, leaders that are active listeners encourage their staff to talk more and present their ideas easily as the workers know that what they have to say will be embraced. The way leaders and organizational rules, standards, and processes can inadvertently inhibit creativity and innovation Leaders can inhibit innovation when they practice a top-down approach to management, which is characterized by a leader who only sits at the top of his management position. Such an approach to management implies that employees are simply executioners and are not allowed to front ideas (Amabile & Kramer, 2012). Further, when many levels of bureaucracy mar leadership, it is difficult for employees to get their ideas accepted and listened to as they hardly transcend to top management. The present organizational rules can limit innov