Creativity under Pressure | Anton Polkanov

Do deadlines kill your creativity? In this video, Anton Polkanov, Senior Software Engineer at SSW, unpacks the relationship between creativity and time pressure in software development. Drawing on research from Harvard Business Review, Anton explains why high stress often leads to lower innovation and what you can do to change that. Learn about the Time Pressure / Creativity Matrix, pressure hangovers, and practical tips to create space for creative thinking in high-pressure environments. This is essential advice for developers, tech leads, and anyone working in fast-paced teams.

00:00 | Introduction
00:16 | Why Creativity Matters in Software Development
00:46 | Creativity Leads to Better Products
01:17 | What Research Says About Time Pressure
01:33 | Time Pressure / Creativity Matrix Explained
01:52 | The “All-Hands” Productive Scenario
02:05 | The Worst-Case: Chaos Kills Creativity
02:40 | Innovation Thrives with Direction + Breathing Room
03:15 | Pressure Hangover and Recovery Time
03:43 | How to Keep Creativity Alive in Teams

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Anton Polkonov – SSW Senior Software Engineer II
About: https://www.ssw.com.au/people/anton-polkanov/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anton-polkanov-504437128/

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#sswcreativity #timemanagement #softwaredevelopment #developerlife #productivitytips #innovation #sswtv #devtalks #engineeringculture #teamwork

About the speakers

Anton Polkonov

Anton is a results-driven Senior Software Engineer at SSW with over 7 years of experience in professional software development. He has a proven track record of delivering high-quality solutions that meet the needs of both end-users and the business. Anton's expertise lies in designing and building robust software applications using cutting-edge approaches and techniques.

Anton is passionate about mobile development, specializing in the .NET platform and performance engineering. He stays updated on the latest advancements in technology to ensure he delivers solutions that are at the forefront of innovation. Additionally, Anton actively contributes to the tech community as the organizer of a competitive programming club in Newcastle.

Certified in Azure and proficient in .NET, Anton is well-equipped to tackle complex challenges and drive success in software development projects.

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