5 Staff management tips to unleash your creative team’s potential

Faith Ocampo Published on September 18, 2015

young-smiling-employees
Working with creatives can be both frustrating and rewarding. For managers, it can be a frustrating experience, as highly creative individuals can be stubborn at times. On the other hand, it’s also a rewarding journey, as they re extremely passionate and dedicated to their projects.

smiling-female-employee-on-laptop-with-chatting-coworkers

Creatives - writers / bloggers, graphic artists, photographers, videographers, animators, web designers, social media marketers, etc - hold a special place in business organizations. Whether they’re in your advertising and marketing department, on the operations floor, or in management positions, they play a big role in shaping the future of an enterprise. However, because of their unique qualities, they often prefer a different management approach. They tend to avoid routines, dislike rigid procedures, and crave meaningful interactions with the people around them.

How can managers adjust to their creative team’s preferences to maximize employee engagement? Here are five staff management tips on how to mobilize your creatives to unleash their true potential in the workplace.

1. Micromanagement is their biggest enemy.

male-boss-behind-creative-team-not-micromanaging

As a general rule, micromanagement is every employee’s biggest enemy. But highly creative individuals try to veer away from micromanagers as much as possible, and it’s not because they’re not open to new ideas. As employees, they prize freedom of expression, and they want to depend on their unique talents to get things done their own way. Just make sure to give them a general guide to drive them toward results that clients expect.

 

2. Provide your team a firm direction.

creative-tema-listening-to-boss-discuss-project-on-board-postit-notes

Creative workers are also very passionate workers. They treat every project as a reflection of their personal abilities, and managers should use this emotional investment to their advantage. They highly appreciate firm and thoughtful guidance as they look for optimum solutions to a project. Also, it’s best to monitor a project’s progress to make sure that everything’s in line with your objectives.

 

3. Be prepared to listen to their ideas.

creative-team-fun-activity-party-blowing-balloons

One great thing about having creative employees is that they’ll never run out of ideas. They naturally think outside the box so brainstorming sessions would always be lively and productive. Always lend your ears to them and make them feel that their suggestions are highly prized in the office.

 

4. Minimize interruptions.

graphic-artist-working

Interruptions are one of the biggest creativity killers. When your employees are too engrossed in a project, it’s best to allow them to concentrate on that task. It would help if you could schedule extra activities and meetings in advance so they can adjust their own timetables without sacrificing the hours they’d like to devote to their projects.

 

5. Break the ice.

creative-team-fun-activity-party-blowing-balloons

Highly creative people are more averse to routine than others. If they’re working in an office where they have to work from 9 to 5 every day, the best you can do is engage them in fun activities from time to time. Also, team building activities can work wonders in keeping your team away from burnout.

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula when it comes to staff management. To achieve maximum employee engagement, managers have to adopt different leadership styles that would suit specific types of employees. This is the key to making sure that everyone s working to their full abilities without compromising their physical and mental well-being.

Faith is a digital media enthusiast aiming to become an active part of the tech world by sharing her insights. She likes to blog about everything digimarketing, technology, and social media.

One response to “5 Staff management tips to unleash your creative team’s potential”

  1. Seven Rules for Managing Creative-but-Difficult People (reblog) | LauraMcDaniel says:

    […] Managing Creative Teams […]

Join us on facebook
Open Access BPO 0 hour ago
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆, 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘂𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴.

Open Access BPO joins the global celebration of ethnic equality. As a multilingual, multinational company, we see firsthand how diverse perspectives drive progress. We believe that everyone, regardless of background, deserves the opportunity to contribute to a better world.

Anyone, regardless of background, can contribute to societal progress, and the sooner we realize that, the better our world becomes.

We're committed to fostering #inclusivity both within our company and in the communities we serve.

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#OABPOonEthnicEquality
#EthnicEqualityMonth #EthnicEquality
Open Access BPO 2 hours ago
𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝗣𝗢 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝗜𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲. | https://buff.ly/434ctKb

The three-month program saw employees engage in wellness sessions, regular weigh-ins, and receive expert weight loss guidance. The finale recognized and celebrated the remarkable transformations achieved by the participating employees.

The initiative underscores Open Access BPO's commitment to investing in the overall well-being of its employees and cultivating a positive and supportive company culture.

----------
Open Access BPO is dedicated to employee engagement and contributing to our team's growth, both professionally and personally.

Learn more about our company culture and commitment to our employees: https://buff.ly/4i34265

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#DropItLikeItsHot #OABPODroppinIt
#OneForHealth #IdeaHubOABPO
Open Access BPO 6 days ago
Open Access BPO Taipei celebrated a decade of growth and success with a party event at the ILLUME Taipei Hotel.

The evening showcased our strong company culture, with games, delicious food, and a festive atmosphere.
We're proud of our team and excited for what the future holds!

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#OABPOKickOff2025 #OABPOWanderlustBliss
#WanderlustBlissOABPO
Open Access BPO 6 days ago
𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝗜𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝘁: 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝗣𝗢 𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

The Open Access BPO's weight loss challenge has officially come to a close after a successful three-month run.

The program, which included wellness sessions and regular weigh-ins, culminated in an awards ceremony celebrating the incredible achievements of our participants.

We're thrilled to announce and congratulate the five champions from our Manila and Davao offices who demonstrated remarkable dedication and commitment to their health and wellness journeys.

Open Access BPO is committed to employee well-being, and this weight loss challenge is a prime example. We regularly offer activities and programs like this to support our employees' personal and professional growth, fostering a healthy and supportive work environment.

We're proud of all participants and look forward to continuing to support their wellness journeys.

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#DropItLikeItsHot #OABPODroppinIt
#OneForHealth #IdeaHubOABPO
Open Access BPO 7 days ago
This February, Open Access BPO joins the world in celebrating 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵.

We recognize the vital contributions of African-Americans who have shaped our world.

It's also a call for us all to learn from history, amplify Black voices, and take action against systemic racism.

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#BlackHistoryMonth #BHM2025
#OABPOonBHM #BHM
Open Access BPO 8 days ago
Bringing people together, celebrating achievements, and building momentum for their 10th anniversary is the real highlight of 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘀: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝗣𝗢 𝗞𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆.

We're looking forward to being stronger together with our Davao teammates for another decade, but for now, here's a look back at what happened in last week's party: https://buff.ly/3CK1vyM

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#OABPOKickOff2025 #OABPOWanderlustBliss