Although previous studies have characterized chitchat as a meaningless behavior that wastes work time, its value to work outcomes is significantly undervalued. Our study examines how chitchat stimulates creativity. Chitchat provides a foundation for obtaining information that may not be readily available, which ultimately contributes to outcomes that require broadening of information as in creativity. Drawing on the interactionist perspective of creativity, we propose that there is a positive relationship between chitchat and information exchange when employees possess high levels of social skills. Such information exchange can facilitate the flow of ideas and perspectives that spark creativity. Job complexity strengthens the positive influence of information exchange on employee creativity. Using a time-lagged survey of supervisor-employee dyads, we tested our hypotheses and found that chitchat is most powerful for promoting employee creativity when employees have high social skills and work in complex jobs. This study not only provides new insights into the potential benefits of informal communication but also highlights the importance of considering both individual and situational factors in the workplace. Our findings have practical implications for managers seeking to foster a creative work environment by highlighting the role of informal interactions in driving creativity.
