YOUR SYSTEM MAY NEED A LITTLE MORE PLAY IN IT.

We are back in the business cycle of talking a lot about creativity and innovation.  Tough times seem to bring it out.  Unfortunately tough times also
cause systems to get tight, tighter, tightest.  There is a tendency to contract, to squeeze out any extra, to measure small things to the nth degree as economies struggle   This is the exact opposite from what innovation needs to flourish.

Loose and Tight are important dynamics in a business.
Knowing WHEN to get tight and WHEN to loosen is a leadership art.
And knowing  WHAT to tighten and loosen is essential.

Get tight about what your consumer wants.
Know it to the nth degree.
Get tight and keep good strong boundaries around your strategy.
Know what to say "yes" to and what to say "no" to when it comes to your business model.

BUT keep some play in your system when it comes to HOW to work within your strategy and business model.  I mean play in both its definitions.  Play meaning "ease and room to move" and play as in " fun and lightness".  I have personally seen play move a group from grim gridlock to easy results within three hours.

This does not mean get goofy.  It means give some room for movement and choice and autonomy to your people so that you can have a fluid company that has  a natural innovative, creative process.