I was recently interviewed by a student in the University of Texas at Austin MBA program on creativity:

1. Do you find any business processes get in the way of creative ideas?

Not really. Deadlines and pressure are actually good for creativity. To create we must work within bounds — limited possibilities do not strangle creativity, they make it possible.

2. What do you feel is the best method for fostering creative ideas?

I believe you must combine energy, pressure, and cross-disciplinary exploration. Energy in the form of excitement and drive to achieve, pressure to achieve something great within an ambitious time frame, and lastly the search for ingredients outside of our normal scope. We often create by taking a concept or idea from another discipline and twisting or turning it to fit our needs. There is so much that software designers can learn and be inspired by in the fine arts.

3. What is it that led you to a creative position, and how do you stay competitive?

I believe everyone is creative. No question. As for staying competitive, it’s very simple — you must apply yourself in ways that benefit the business. You must always keep your eye on the money. If I’m not wrong, I believe that much of the old masters’ works were created based on what they were commissioned to paint; not whatever they felt like painting. Find the intersection between what you want to do and what will benefit your company or customers.

4. How do you measure the success of ideas?

With regard to the software we design, we actually have objective measures in place such as efficiency and effectiveness that help us to determine if we have improved a design. We also use less objective measures such as satisfaction surveys and word association exercises that provide us with good feedback.

5. How is creativity rewarded within your organization?

Creativity is rewarded at NetQoS by turning the right ideas into products or product features. I say the “right” ideas because not all creative ideas make business sense. I’m also reminded of a quote from Harry Truman: “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” For me, seeing my work in a product that people need to do their daily jobs is the ultimate reward.

6. Would you rather be in charge of a creative failure, or an ordinary success?

I’m not sure what an “ordinary success” is, but I would not be happy being in charge of a creative failure. No success in our business (high-tech software) is easy or ordinary.