Create The Environment

An old saying:

: "Don't create the thing; create the environment."

It's used to sway managers away from MicroManagement. Instead of reviewing every line of code to make sure you get what you want, create a worthwhile and rewarding environment that automatically motivates developers to do what you want.

An old approach - make a list of what you mean:

Present here for managers a list of the things that would motivate creativity:

(The change of description at the head of this page ("creative"-> "do what you want") may have rendered my lists irrelevant. Feel free to move/delete)

Creative environments often have

challenge
freedom
support for different ideas (and systems for communicating them)
trust
dynamism
playfulness
debates
conflict
support risk taking
allow time for investigating ideas
scenery
music

Barriers to creativity. The inverses would help creativity.

Inadequate recruitment/selection
Confused organisational structure
Inadequate control
Poor tools
Poor training
Low motivation
Poor teamwork
Inappropriate management philosophy
Unclear aims
Unfair rewards

Then the manager can CreateTheEnvironment and you can Create the Thing.