Reflective Report: Analyzing Creativity and Innovation at Woolworths

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of workplace creativity and innovation, drawing on the author's experience as a team leader in the marketing department at Woolworths. The report identifies core issues related to a lack of creativity and employee dissatisfaction, primarily attributed to an autocratic leadership style. It offers critical suggestions for improvement, including implementing a learning culture, providing training and development, fostering collaboration and communication, promoting diversification, creating a team mentality, and adopting a transformational leadership style. The report also explores various alternatives, such as offering freedom and flexibility, supporting risk-taking, and incorporating sensory experiences to enhance creativity. The author concludes that creativity and innovation are essential for improving employee morale, performance, and overall competitiveness in the workplace.

Running head: MANAGEMENT
Management
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

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Introduction
In the current scenario, creativity is one of the essential items which is considered to be
the key in establishing the work culture wherein the entire workforce engages. Creativity in the
entire workplace is for all regardless of the different positions present (Reiter-Palmon & Paulus,
2019). Through generation of creativity, it helps in inspiring the different employees to work
with one another and achieve the goals successfully who will be beneficial for the company as
well and it encourages proper collaboration (Sousa, Nunes & Monteiro, 2019). The main aim and
purpose of the assignment is to reflect on the core issues related to creativity at the workplace
wherein I worked previously and offering suggestions and alternatives which will be suitable for
managing creativity at workplace and gain proper solutions which will be effective in nature as
well.
Identification and Analysis of Core Issues Related to Workplace Problems
While I was working with Woolworths, I was being appointed as the team leader in the
marketing department wherein the main task was to promote the different kinds of ideas and
services which will be representing the business in a positive manner. Before, I was being
appointed; the previous marketing manager who was handling the different activities of the
department was not capable enough to handle the activities and the employees successfully. It
was being noticed that the employees were not satisfied and there was high level of turnover in
the marketing department that led to the downfall in the productivity of the company as a whole.
It was being seen that the leadership was not up to the mark due to which there was no creativity
and innovation involved in the process of introducing or improving the different products of the
company.

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When I was being appointed, for the first few weeks, it was difficult for me in managing
and handling the team members as they were stubborn and they did not participate in the group
activities. As a manager, the first and foremost aspect which was following under my duty was to
find the reasons for the non-performance of the employees and the problem with their attitude.
From analysis and surveys wherein I provided all the employees with a questionnaire, I learnt
that the main problem was the lack of proper leadership wherein the manager followed the
autocratic leadership style. Therefore, the employees were not being open regarding their
creative aspects in showcasing their ideas regarding a particular aspect of improvement of a
product or service which will be liked by the different customers. In such scenario, I realized that
the creativity and innovation are the two key elements which are needed to be implemented in
the respective division for making the employees feel that their ideas are being valued.
Offering of Critical Suggestions for Improvement
As a marketing manager, the first and foremost aspect which I tried was to take the
training and development session for the employees under the marketing department. In the
training and development session, I tried to convey the team members that they need to provide
their inputs regarding the different aspects in the marketing of a new product or service in the
market. I told them that while working as a team, I feel that sharing of ideas is the key element
that will be enhancing the bonding between the employees and the employers and the goals will
be achieved in a successful manner. I made them understand that every company can be
benefitting from creativity and in every situation, proper creativity and ideas can be making the
difference in the teams which will be suitable for managing the growth prospects in a sustainable
manner.

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I tried to provide them with the different examples of the other big companies such as
Google wherein the company is growing with the help of the cooperation and it is capable of
reinventing their culture in a suitable manner. Proper and effective balance between work life
and personal life is necessary for generating creativity in the workplace. For me, the key and
essential element was to satisfy the different employees in the company as I felt that they are the
critical asset of the workplace and their decisions are need to be valued in a suitable manner.
Analysis of Different Alternatives for Handling the Respective Situation with Critical
Thinking and Skills
Learning Culture- It is the first and foremost aspect which was implemented by me in
my marketing department wherein all the employees have been provided with opportunity to
work up to their potential (Ramos et al., 2018). After I joined, there was a technology
advancement needed in Woolworths Australia wherein the main work was to introduce the self-
check out system. It was not possible alone; therefore, I tried to form groups wherein I asked for
the opinions of the different employees. Because of the same, the employees were able to
constantly develop new skills and learn new concepts and I feel that it will be a huge benefit for
the company and the employees as well.
Training and Development- Through the introduction of the learning culture in the
company, it helped them in feeling that their potential is increasing over time and it is the huge
benefit for the company as a whole as well. I felt that through such encouraging learning culture,
the employees felt highly motivated and they tried to stick around with the company as well. By
creating the culture of learning, it helped me in encouraging employees who made them feel
connected and their daily efforts are making huge importance in the company as a whole. For

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instance- In Google, they have been capable of setting pace for new start-ups as the giant
nurtures learning culture (Perry-Smith & Mannucci, 2017). In the same manner, I, as a marketing
manager tried to offer financial incentives and providing them with the opportunity for the staffs
to attend the different conferences with the CEO of the company that assisted them in improving
their effectiveness in introducing creativity in the workplace. Culture is the
Problem-Solving Skills and Team-Building Aspects- It is the other aspect which is the
other alternative and creative solution adopted by me for my team. It helped the team in
increasing their creativity and it reinforced success positively. Through proper on-the job
training and development practices, these employees are constantly developing new skills along
with concepts for potential increase in the effectiveness of the different tasks which are
performed by them. I felt that happiness in the workplace is the key component that will be
suitable for development of the team culture. For instance- At Zappos, building a positive team
and family spirit are the two key elements that are needed for pursuing growth and learning in
the company (Paulus & Nijstad, 2019).
Collaboration and Communication- In the marketing department, I feel that it is the
other major approach which is needed to be implemented for encouraging the exchange of
knowledge of the different members. While introducing the self-check-out system, I tried to
make two separate teams in the marketing division which helped me in understanding the ideas
which are generated by them (Mohamed et al., 2019). Through this, it assisted me in generating
collaboration and the end results were amazing. I tried to surround them with positivity and
inspiration wherein I tried to keep rewards and recognition programs that will be beneficial in
keeping themselves motivated for gaining competitiveness in the market as well. I prefer the

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team oriented nature wherein the individual is highly motivated by the corporate goals and it
enhances the creativity among the individuals in a positive manner.
Diversification- It has been the other major alternative which can be adopted by the
managers of the team through which the cultural differences can be reduced and it will be
suitable for improving the performance at the workplace (Machado & Miranda, 2020). I feel that
the diverse teams can be incorporating the different skills that are used for inspiring the different
people. The people from various backgrounds can be sharing their own ideas which can be
brilliant and it will be enhancing the performance of the entire team and group systematically.
While joining the company, I noticed that there was no collaboration or team bonding among the
employees; I felt that it can be difficult for building the team in respective manner. Therefore,
mixing up the team members from different cultural backgrounds play a vital element in
improving the workplace productivity.
Creating and facilitating Team Mentality- It is the other important aspect that is needed
as I feel that when the employees are motivated, their productivity increases and as a whole, it
proves to be the most effective element for making the venture successful (Keenan, Henriksen &
Deep-Play Research Group 2017). As a team leader, it is my sole responsibility to take care of
the different difficulties and issues which are faced by the employees as it makes them feel that
their leader cares about them and it enhances the innovative capabilities in a much more efficient
manner as well.
Improvement in Leadership Style- The transformational leadership style is the key and
most appropriate element which is needed to be implemented by the CEOs or the other managers
working in the company. The transformational leadership is best suited in many prospects of the

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companies as the followers get the chance to showcase their skills which are creative and it can
be implemented in generating the final outcomes in a suitable manner (Fortwengel, Schüßler &
Sydow, 2017). The leaders need to work with the team members for identifying the need for
change and creating and guiding the vision for change that will be suitable for creating and
generating inspiration among the team members to make them feel highly committed towards the
work which is performed by them (Fischer, Malycha & Schafmann, 2019).
Freedom and Flexibility in the Work Culture- It is the other aspect that is needed to be
implemented and included in the company for gaining creativity. Sometimes a change in the
scenario at workplace can be brining in increasing sense of creativity (Awasthi, 2018). Offering
the flexible work policy method can be proved to be beneficial for increasing the workplace
productivity which will be capable of supporting employees and allowing for the work-life
balance. In addition, it will be leading to development of new skills which will be allowing the
workforce to bring out increased sense of creativity as well (April, Oliver & Kalish, 2019).
Supporting Employees in Taking Risks- While I was the marketing manager at
Woolworths, cultivating the culture of recognition for the employees taking risks play a vital role
in improving effectiveness. The main reason, previously the employees did not think out of the
box was due to the fear that they might be sacked and it can be impacting their job. Therefore,
during my tenure, I tried to be open for feedback as well as suggestions from the people which
helped them in improving their growth and fear can be reduced.
Filling workplace with Sensory Experiences- It is the other aspect that is needed to be
implemented by the leaders in the company that will be beneficial in generating innovation in the
workplace for improving the effectiveness and performance in a strong manner (Amabile &

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Pratt, 2016). There can be thought provoking abstract or playing unconventional music which
will be lifting mood of employees and their performance can be enhanced (Ali Taha, Sirkova &
Ferencova, 2016).
Conclusion
Therefore, it can be concluded that the creativity and innovation are the two key and
major elements that are needed to be implemented in the workplace for improving morale of
employees. When the employees will be happy with the environment in which they are working,
in such scenarios, their performance will be improved and it will be capable of gaining
competitiveness in the environment which is highly competitive. The leaders and the
subordinated need to work together that will be improving their performance in a suitable
manner.

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References
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