Long derided in the workplace as a sign of disinterest, the humble doodle may actually aid concentration and the retention of information. Famous scribblers include John Keats who drew flowers in the margins of his manuscripts, while American presidents including Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan and J. F. K. were all known to idly draw during briefings.

A leading study to look into the power of doodling asked 40 people to listen to a two-and-a-half minute monotonous voicemail message recording. Half of the group shaded in a shape during this period, while the other simply listened. Neither group was aware that their memory would be tested following the exercise and perhaps counter-intuitively, the doodlers showed a 29%¹ increase in the retention of information when asked to recall the details of the message.

Idle scribbling is just one way that creativity can help boost workplace performance says Marcela Slepica, Clinical Director, AccessEAP - a leading not-for-profit provider of employee assistance programs:

“Encouraging creativity has a number of beneficial effects on employees that can drive positive change in workplaces, if done well. For example, a simple exercise like asking teams to think of different uses for an object, can encourage a mindset that will help them to think of new ways to approach and improve their roles, processes and outdated practices. Essentially moving them from ‘this is how it’s always been’, to ‘this is how it could be better’.”

“Additionally, by its very definition, creativity requires change and adaptation, skills that are extremely useful to ensuring companies stay relevant as advances in technology, fluctuations in the economy and shifting societal expectations influence how we do business. These qualities are also helpful in coping with organisational change, such as new leaderships and restructures,” adds Slepica.

People are increasingly seeking out the positive effects of doodling as seen by the recent popularity of mindful colouring books Slepica continues: “Scribbling, doodling and colouring focuses the mind without being cognitively taxing, which allows the brain to be present and in the now. This gives our brains a break, as when our thoughts are racing, or we’re given to much stimulus to process, we may struggle to think clearly and absorb information. As such, mindful doodling can help with concentration, decision making and overall mental health.”

There are a number of simple ways to make creativity a part of workplace culture adds Simon Marshall, Senior Marketing Manager, Wacom, a world leading producer of creative technology equipment. “Employees need to be encouraged to step outside of their day to day and engage with new ideas. A good place to start is your workspace. Putting aside a social, creative space full of inspirational cues to encourage your team to separate themselves from their desks and ideate or discuss new thoughts with colleagues.

“Empowering your team, from spending time brainstorming to doodling during meetings, is important and new technologies are available to capture what’s useful and leave the rest behind. This allows you to pass on your notes without the scribble. For example, Wacom’s Bamboo smart pads allow users to tidy up their handwritten points or sketches and then turn them into digital files with a simple push of a button. It’s a smart, productive way to avoid re-writing or typing up information to hide your miniature artworks from your employees or colleagues.”

AccessEAP is a leading Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider in Australia. We have been assisting companies across Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia since 1989 in supporting a mentally healthy workplace. As an Australian owned not-for-profit provider, surplus profits are directed into programs to assist children at risk in the community through direct donation and via The Curran Access Children’s Foundation.

About Wacom

Founded in 1983, Wacom is a global company based in Japan (Tokyo Stock Exchange 6727) with subsidiaries and affiliate offices around the world to support marketing and distribution in over 150 countries. Wacom’s vision to bring people and technology closer together through natural interface technologies has made it the world’s leading manufacturer of interactive pen tablets and displays as well as of digital styli and solutions for saving and processing digital signatures. The advanced technology of Wacom’s intuitive input devices has been used to create some of the most exciting digital art, films, special effects, fashion and designs around the world and provides business and home users with their leading interface technology to express their personality.