What is creativity?

Here are two definitions to mull over.

Being 'creative' is about 'producing or using original and unusual ideas' (The Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, Online Version, Second Edition) and perhaps having 'the ability to make or otherwise bring into existence something new, whether a solution to a problem, a method or device, or an artistic object or form.' (The Encyclopaedia Britanica). Most will agree that 'creativity' is a realm where the concepts of imagination, originality and innovation prevail. Could we all be imaginative, original and innovative in our thinking?

Western society may be seen to restrict individual creative potentials through prescriptive and conditioning rules adopted at birth or sourced from different experiential realms over time: personal, educational, societal and cultural. In fact, many creativity consultants dedicate their time to reversing the learning of those rules and helping people get in touch with their inner creative self - learn to tell stories or learn to draw, for example (Pearson, 2005).

Some people are able to switch into a creative thinking and behavioural mode relatively naturally, while others can access and learn techniques to do the same. Importantly, many experts say we can all be (more) creative in our personal and professional lives (Buzan, 1974).

There are a couple of factors widely recognised as essential to 'creativity'. First, the road to creativity inevitably starts at a particular gate: the ability to suspend one's judgement. That is, we have to overcome our habits and resist the temptation to attach a value to an act, an experience, a thought or an idea.

This is widely regarded as essential in the initiation of the creative process or in the adoption of an associative approach - i.e. making associations through words, pictures and ideas. It is also key in helping us shift from the more usual, logical, evaluative and rational way of thinking (left brain, convergent thinking, making choices) to the imaginative, intuitive, and irrational way of thinking (right brain, divergent thinking, making lists) in order to 'learn to use both sides of our brain' (Buzan, 1974).

Emotional energy is also key to the creative process, many regarding it as essential in fuelling any creative effort or creativity session. Positive energy and emotions have been directly linked to creative ability and experiences (Seligman, www.reflective learning.com). So, creative sessions are often planned with warming-up and energising exercises (Michalko, 1991), in order to trigger and nurture a light-hearted and playful mindset, to create a non-judgemental and positive, 'creative' mood. And we can learn to release this in ourselves and others.

Individual creative or thinking styles may be measured in a number of ways. One of these is the KAI (Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory) assessment, based on 32 multiple choice questions. Go to www.kaicentre.com/ to find out where you can take the KAI assessment. It will help you understand your personal, creative, thinking style: whether you are more of an 'adaptor' and tend to think 'better' (like Edison), or whether you are more of an 'innovator' and tend to think 'different' (like Leonardo Da Vinci).
 

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