How Much Do Companies Value Creativity Over Getting Things Done?

Most career infographics never add this step: Being the person who can get things done.

Why is that?

We’re saturated with articles lauding the importance of creativity over almost anything else in the business world, including intelligence.

Ruh-roh.

Of course you want idea-people on your team. Without ideas, without creativity, I wouldn’t be sitting here in my comfy chair using WordPress on my laptop.

But who took the idea and made it live?

Was it the same person or team that thought it up in the first place?

CAN it be the same person?

Don’t worry, this is just a guinea pig. (Teddy)

Check your attributes

All those infographics and posts that talk about the top skills you need today—adaptability, self-reliance, teamwork, people-personing—are absolutely correct. You need those. Those so-called soft skills balance out your knowledge and experience.

But those posts never seem to get to the next step: Being the person who can also put those ideas into production.

In The Most Valuable Work Skill You Need, I talk about that one key trait that seems to be left off of employer wishlists and career advice lists.

And that’s accountability.

If you have to hold up a sign….

Who’s accountable for your accountability?

It’s not quite a trick question.

A lot of us probably don’t get around to doing half of what we dream.

We’ve got ideas, and ideas are fun and sparkling and exciting, but we’ve also got to do a lot more other stuff, hard or boring or bogged down in committee stuff.

And it’s not like we’re in this alone. I know I couldn’t do some of my ideas without my team.

Here’s a fine example of teamwork.

As well, perhaps employers should be equally invested in acquiring or training for accountability as they are about the shiny, sparkly ideas.

But if you find you’re looking back over the past few months or entire year and can’t quite put a finger on a concrete “did,” you’re going to have to actively focus some energy on getting things done.

Because, alas, nobody wants to hear excuses.