Yes, you read that right. Do you know people who are like that? People who never seem to get anything done and yet claiming to be “creative”? People who can tell you all about how to do your job better, but who can’t even remember the main decision from the last meeting?

If you have such a person as your co-worker, you might need to draw up pretty clear boundaries so that your precious time and resources are not sucked away into that creative bottomless pit. Influence that co-worker for the better if you can, but if you can’t, make it clear where the lines are and stick by them until you see a change for the better.

If you have such a person in your employ, do something about it or go fire yourself. Non-action on your part is an indicator that you are not ready to employ staff. Employers are supposed to increase value all round, not make other people miserable.

If you happen to have that sort of person as your boss, try your level best to lead upwards. Make appeals based on your boss’ known goals and ask if there are any other goals you might not be aware of. If your boss starts to accuse you of being “uncreative” and you become singularly unhappy because of that, take a hike. There is no need for you to remain in such a situation. If you don’t take a hike, you have yourself to blame.

Start realizing that you need not be at the mercy of such “creative” people! Either inspire or get them to be diligent, which is the underpinning of all genuine creativity anyway, or else fire them or fire yourself. Just do something to make things better. Remember, it’s good for those “creative” slackers as well!