November/December 2006
PARTNERS for INNOVATION
Innovation Tips
...ideas for building collaborative innovation
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Go with the flow
"The
best moments usually occur when a person's body or mind is stretched to its
limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and
worthwhile.”
--Mihaly
Csikszentmihalyi
You’ve heard this before. When life becomes overwhelming; challenges seem insurmountable, fear of criticism or failure creeps in and keeps us from even starting, we may hear someone admonish us to “Just go with the flow.” What is flow, and why would we want to go with it?
Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Mike) Director of the Quality of Life Research Center at Claremont Graduate University, describes flow as “the experience of optimal fulfillment and engagement.” In studying people from all walks of life, from artists and athletes to rock climbers and writers, he consistently discovered “the deep and uniquely human motivation to excel, exceed, and triumph over limitation.”
People in flow were fully absorbed and focused on the task at hand, paying little attention to time. They felt they had personal control over outcomes. Their primary rewards were intrinsic—they were motivated by their sense of fulfillment. Their experience was so richly rewarding that they wanted it again, even though it would take much time and effort.
His research showed that people were happier doing things than not, especially when their abilities were equal to the challenge. If ability exceeded the challenge, then they tended to get bored. If the challenge exceeded their ability, then they tended to get frustrated. For their flow to feel most fulfilling, the work needed to engage but not exceed their full ability.
Csikszentmihalyi also noted that happiness is contingent upon making a contribution to the common good—to living for something more than one’s own personal interest. The more work holds meaning and provides benefit for the common good, the greater the personal happiness. So with optimal personal flow, we also shape a culture that is better for all.
The question for leaders is this: “How can we help to create the conditions of flow for ourselves and others?”
We have found these guiding principles to be helpful in building flow throughout the organization.
1. Make sure that the work is clearly defined.
2. Match the work to the people with the right gifts to accomplish it. (Sometimes job sharing or job sculpting are needed to improve flow.)
3. Enable people to focus on their work without distractions.
4. Encourage rather than critique or micromanage.
Imagine the world we could create if we were all going with the flow.
Partners for Innovation is now using the GiftsCompass Inventory to create more Flow in organizations. The online self-assessment identifies a person’s preferred gifts and a means of matching those gifts to the right work. It also helps with job sculpting—designing an individual’s job to improve Flow.
Please call us at 419.872.7140 or visit their web site to learn more. www.giftscompass.com
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