Like most
of the Earth’s population (I’ll have to double check this fact) I have never
considered myself as someone creative. Actually, I did once. As kids, we all
let our imaginations run wild and we come up with some pretty creative stuff- a
cruise that is also a school? Some would call that genius….. But after a while,
when my hands did not seem to be able to come up with beautiful crafts or
pretty drawings, I stopped believing I was creative, or capable of creativity.
I think
that perception slowly started to change as I came to college and the concept
of critical thinking was reinforced. I started to realize that I did have good
ideas, and with some research and training I could come up with some pretty
amazing solutions to problems. I also started to notice my creativity outside
of the classroom. Particularly with people- I know everyone says they’re a
people person, but I really am. People are my thing, I’m especially good at
relationships and I’m very creative in the way I solve people problems.
I always
feel more creative around other people; I like the feeling that others are
keeping your ‘creativeness’ in check. It can be incredibly frustrating to get
your ideas shut down. And if I don’t know/trust the people around me, I
immediately feel self-conscious (and judged) when one of my ideas is shut down,
and then I shut down. So that’s bad. I need to feel like I have credibility
within a group in order to feel creative.
The
organization I interned with two summers ago was not the most creative- at
least not the parts I was exposed to, I think it might have to do with the
sheer size of it, the fact that there are very separate business functions, and
the fact that there are very specific business goals that the organizations is
pressured to achieve. Even the strategic, highly problem focused jobs, had
little to none real innovation. The one I intern with now has slightly more
room for creativity, but at the same time, they are not focused on change- yet.
It’s a small start-up and I can see that the structure and culture their
building now- could lead to innovation. For example they have a big emphasis on
being the best and “staying ahead of the curve”.
The
organization that I interned with this summer did the best job at it. As
interns we even had training on innovation and design. There is an enterprise
effort to make the company a modern marketing organization. Part of what this
means, is encouraging creativity, and for employees to take more risks. Because
of this effort they are experiencing important challenges. Senior management
grew up with the traditional model, and they are not the most comfortable with
innovation, although they understand it’s importance. It’s also a big
organization and change is slow, so slow.
I believe
than anyone has the power to be creative. For an individual, the right tools
and mindset have to be available. For an organization the processes and rewards
have to be aligned to allow it to happen. For both an individual and
organizations, the first step is believing that you can be creative. Letting go
of excuses (I’m not good with my hands, creativity sacrifices productivity, etc) is
the first step in allowing this phenomenon (creativity) to occur.
I do
believe that creativity can be taught, but I refuse to believe that it should
always be structured in an organized process (even if the organized process
works). And so, there must be many ways to come up with creative solutions. And
it must be based on the type of problem, but also whatever feels right in the
moment. I do think we should trust our gut, but at the same time, trying
different approaches (if time permits) to solve one problem might be the most
complete way to come up with solutions for problems.
Overall creativity is a phenomenon where something new and valuable is created and we all have the ability to do that. I'm convinced.
