The Research behind Dual Thinking
IQUDO IDEATION STUDY III (MERCEDES BENZ /KIT, 2016)
Since 2010, we interviewed over 3.000 people in Germany and the U.S. (IQudo Ideation Study II, NYC/San Francisco, 2015) about what drives their creativity on the job.
In the IQudo Ideation Survey III (2016), at the Mercedes-Benz Technology Center (MTC) we found that 37 percent of the 155 engineers have their best ideas on the job. The study had been conducted by Tobias Kind at the renowned KIT-EnTechnon, Karlsruhe.
People having their best ideas at work
56 engineers
Group B / Job-Inspired
People NOT having their best ideas at work
96 Engineers
Group A / Job-Uninspired
Why do people have their best ideas on the job?
KEY FINDINGS OF THE IQUDO IDEATION STUDY III
We found that passion is the #1 reason for on-the-job creativity. 55 percent of the Mercedes-Benz engineers cited "love for the job" as the number one reason for their on-the-job creativity.
What further drove the creativity of the engineers was the inspiration between the co-workers (51%), plus the fact that creativity was required by the management (50%).
Surprisingly, for most of the job inspired engineers, time plays a minor role; 'Time to ponder' came in sixth place only (10%).
Even more stunning, no one of the job-inspired engineers, mentioned: 'Interior Design' which came in last place (0%). Instead, 'Behavioral freedom' made it to 4th place (17%).
3 key insights about creativity at work
KEY LEARNINGS FROM THE IQUDO IDEATION STUDY III
#1: Passion is key
Surprisingly, neither time nor the interior design seems to be critical for creativity on the job. Instead, passion is key when it comes to having the best ideas at work.
#2: Inspiring co-workers
People find their best ideas mostly due to socio-cultural parameters such as inspiring co-workers, job requirements, opportunities for development, or behavioral freedom.
#3: Creative climate
Previously it was believed that creativity at work depends on the individual. The results, however, shift responsibility for individual creativity more towards the culture.
