Do deadlines breed innovative work?
Rarely, say most organizational behaviorists.
That's because creativity results from the playful association of ideas.
Deadlines dampen that play.
While they drive workers to work harder and longer—and even lead them to think they're innovating—deadlines, in fact, kill creativity.
To lessen deadlines' deadening effect, behaviorists suggest bosses:
- Set deadlines that allow for playtime—and build some into every week
- Shield workers under deadline from interruptions
- Help workers understand why particular deadlines are mission-critical
