Everyday creativity is important; it allows us to explore the world in new ways, and fuel powerful ideas. Creative thinking is extremely valuable, as it will help employees to reach innovative solutions. Business creativity will generate the production of something worthwhile and fresh. Let’s begin by breaking down the concept of creativity.
Defining Creativity
Creativity may be defined as using imaginative or original ideas, and forming something new and valuable. Through creative and innovative practices, ideas can be turned into reality. Creativity helps to challenge an employee’s way of thinking and allows for new business opportunities to arise. Creative thinking is about expansion of perception, seeking patterns, and reaching solutions.
Business creativity requires dedication, enthusiasm and curiosity. If ideas are present but not acted on, then this is solely imagination, not creativity. Creativity involves both thinking, and production. It can come from problem solving, socialization, or simply the need to question the status quo.
Thinking Outside the Box
When interpreting business creativity, the metaphor “thinking outside the box” is commonly used. The box in this expression symbolizes constrained and limited thinking, or rather, placing a boundary on thoughts. Accordingly, to think outside of the box is to think wide; to use new perspectives, to think differently, as well as to look further and freely.
This concept originated from what is known as the “nine dot puzzle”. The puzzle displays a set of dots that are arranged in a 3×3 manner. Those attempting the puzzle must connect all 9 dots using the fewest number of straight lines possible, and without lifting the pencil away from the paper. The activity encourages participants to avoid connecting the dots in a box form, but rather to connect the dots in a creative, unique way.
The Value of Creativity
Creativity is an incredibly valuable factor for business success. It is what differentiates organizations from one another, making each one their own. Creativity helps to give companies a sense of uniqueness, and allows for future developments to be made. It encourages new ideas to be developed and effective problem solving to be discussed and resolved. If creativity and innovation did not exist, companies would not be able to grow and prosper. Creativity is critical if we wish to shape the future.
Components of Creativity
Creativity has 3 basic components: expertise, creative-thinking skills, and motivation.
Expertise: Expertise is based on everything that the individual knows and believes, including intellectual knowledge, past experience, and perspective.
Creative-Thinking Skills: Creative-thinking skills include the ability to think imaginatively and freely, and to have a flexible approach to problem solving.
Motivation: Motivation is based on what drives an individual to work toward a goal, or spark interest in a challenge. Motivation can be either: intrinsic and extrinsic.
This post is from December’s topic on Creativity: Thinking Outside the Box, which is also a course on our Executive Mini-MBA program online from Harvard Square.