The key to companywide self-initiated activity is an effective system for responding to employee ideas. Back to top 3. Every unexpected creative act begins with unofficial activity, during which an idea is worked on without direct official support. Unofficial activity may last for minutes, or it might go on for years. Unless your organization makes a place for unofficial activity, it will see relatively little creativity.
Unofficial status eliminates many of the barriers to creativity.
In the majority of creative acts we looked at, the key aspects of the ideas were arrived at during the unofficial period. We believe that serendipity plays a role in every creative act. Armed with the knowledge of what serendipity means, your organization can do much to promote it. An understanding of the role of serendipity in creative acts helps employees notice accidents when they do occur. Beyond this, your organization also has to increase the likelihood of potentially fortunate accidents meeting with sagacity.