peertwo.docx

Ekvall’s Dimensions of a Creative Climate Assessment Worksheet

Complete this template by replacing the bracketed text with the relevant information.

For your chosen organization, take notes on each dimension of creative climate identified by Göran Ekvall. Then apply a rating for each dimension and write a summary of your overall opinion of the organization’s creative climate.

Use this scale for your ratings:

· 0 (Not at all applicable)
· 1 (Applicable to some extent)
· 2 (Fairly applicable)
· 3 (Applicable to a high degree)

Dimension

Notes

Rating

Challenge

Given that I work for a small, family run business (there is only 5 of us) we are all involved in the daily operations of the company. Any changes that are made, no matter how small are run by all of us and typically only made if we have all come to the conclusion it is the best move. Sometimes the changes are positive and make us feel motivated for more growth, other times they fail and make one or all of us feel responsible which is difficult but can also push for further research/improvement.

2

Dynamism and Liveliness

For the most part business is conducted the same way daily for myself (I operate the office portion of the business). However, for the mechanics out in the field new things occur daily and require quick thinking or changes in how they complete their projects.

2

Playfulness and Humor

Working around family offers the ability to have a ease in environment. We all have a tendency to try to joke or alleviate tension/stress within the workplace because there is already a level of comfort with each other.

3

Freedom

For many day to activities within the organization there is a specific way they need to completed so in that sense freedom is limited. For myself, I can choose to jump between assignments, so I don’t burnout or get bored.

2

Risk Taking

My company’s work involves federal and state regulations so we cannot take risks often. New initiatives taken, need to have a clear outcome in most circumstances. Areas like marketing we can take risks but not with product installations, bookkeeping, customer service, etc.

1

Idea Time

We don’t have allotted time for research, typically for myself I only research new ideas if an issue occurs in a department, I manage or if a mechanic needs me to look into new products for them. Field mechanics often have to discuss new ideas or go with their impulses if a project hits a snag or something unexpected occurs.

1

Idea Support

Employees can talk freely amongst each other and with leadership and feel listened too. As a family who work together, often work is discussed outside of work hours and that is when some of the best back and forth occurs as everyone is relaxed.

3

Trust and Openness

Ideas and opinions are appreciated by the leaders of the organization I work for. Even if initiatives are taken and the result is failure, me and other lower level employees are often just thanked for trying to innovate/improve different criteria. There is a mutual trust that all ideas/changes are brought up only to better the company, any ridicule is usually in the form of a joke or said playfully – not to discourage.

3

Debate

Now that myself and my partner are training to take over the organization from my in-laws there is more debate about how best to run/grow the business in the future. My voice is heard, and new ideas are tested and implemented if the group as a whole feel that they are an improvement/positive step forward.

3

Conflict (negatively correlated)

There is little to no conflict with my organization. Open communication and freedom to complete projects how we feel is best is encouraged. Any conflicts that do occur are talked through and resolved quickly before anything can escalate to “dislike, hate or warfare”.

0

Summary: The organization I chose to assess is my current place of employment. I have been working there for about 5 years. It started as a part time position to help me through my bachelors program, but I found that the environment was so positive and easy to transition into that I decided to stay on even after graduating. I started as an assistant working for my future mother-in-law a few hours a week, even at that level I was comfortable to share ideas for improvement and ask questions without the fear of backlash or over-stepping. Over the last few years the company has taken on new challenges to grow/expand with the help of everyone openly debating the positives and negatives of every move. Our company meetings often involve a lot of joking and positivity allowing for everyone to feel as though we are just talking as a family rather than typically meeting pressure. With this ideas for innovation are tossed out openly and able to be discussed as group, we can ask for more freedom if we want it or more structure if we need it.