# Conformity or Creativity By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2023-07-07 It is beneficial to avoid either/or constructions when possible. Seeing things in terms of either/or entrenches differences. When it comes to organizations, it might be beneficial to see a stark either/or decision in terms of conformity or creativity. Each produces value. Conformity can lead to efficiency, predictability, and stability. However, conformity will not lead to creativity. It might create replication and derivatives, but it is unlikely to produce something groundbreaking. This may be okay. But organizations must embrace creativity over conformity if they want to produce radically new things. This isn’t easy to do organizationally. The challenge is real. At its core, embracing creativity requires openness. And this can be scary. It is especially daunting for managers. How does one manage creativity? How does one supervise the unknown? What type of schedule are breakthroughs on? It is simply easier to execute conformity than it is to manage creativity. This tends to make conformity the default position for the organization. If one wants productivity, conformity is likely the better approach. If one wants invention, creativity is likely better. Understanding what one wants to achieve organizationally is essential. Form follows function. Whereas either conformity or creativity can produce value, the worst option is to espouse that one wants a free, authentic, and creative workforce while enacting and requiring conformity and obedience to an authoritarian organization. #### Related Items [[Organization]] [[Performance]] [[Management]] [[Creative]] [[Status Quo]] [[Metrics]] [[Authenticity]] [[Authority]]