What is Creativity?

Can you define Creativity?

Would you know

creativity if you saw

it?

Defining Creativity:

• cre⋅a⋅tiv⋅i⋅ty [ [kree-ey-tiv-i-tee, kree-uh-]–noun

•1. the state or quality of being creative. 2. the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination: the need for creativity in modern industry; creativity in the performing arts. 3. the process by which one utilizes creative ability: Extensive reading stimulated his creativity (Dictionary.com Unabridged).

Some Definitions of Creativity according to Dorothy Leonard-Barton and Walter

C. Swap, the writers of When Sparks Fly: Igniting Creativity in Groups

“Creativity is that process which results in a novel work that is accepted as

tenable or useful for satisfying by a group at some point in time.”

“A product or response will be judged as creative to the extent that (a) it is both

a novel and appropriate, useful, correct or valuable response to the task at

hand, and (b) the task is heuristic [not having a clear and readily identifiable

path to solution] rather than algorithmic [the path to the solution is clear and

straightforward].”

“A company is creative when its employees do something new and potentially

useful without being directly shown or taught.”

“Creativity is…the production of something that is both new and truly valuable.”

“Creativity…involves a process that is extended in time and characterized by

originality, adaptiveness, and realization.”

Note, each has a distinctive spin on the concept of creativity, all agree that

creativity is a process, that it involves the generation of something novel and

unusual, and that the outcome of the process is something useful (Leonard-

Barton & Swap, 1999, p. 8).

Why Study Creativity in Teams?

Because:

It's not just the product: Apple CEO Steve Jobs and other top corporate executives around the country are successful because of their passion and their great communication skills, writes

BusinessWeek's Carmine Gallo.

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”

Steve Jobs

The opposite of creativity is cynicism. -- Esa Saarinen

cynicism (countable and uncountable; plural cynicisms)(uncountable) a skeptical, scornful or pessimistic attitude.(uncountable) an emotion of jaded negativity, or a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of other people. Cynicism can manifest itself by frustration, disillusionment and distrust in regard to organizations, authorities and other aspects of society, often due to previous bad experience. Cynics often view others as motivated solely by disguised self-interest.(countable) a skeptical, scornful or pessimistic comment or act (Wiktionary, October 2009).

Why Study Creativity in Teams?

Because: People who are trained in creativity are truly more creative!

Step 1: Mess finding: Isolating a concern or problem on which to work

Step 2: Data finding: Generating and selecting the most important data regarding the mess.

Step 3: Problem finding: Generating and selecting a statement that captures the “essence” of the situation.

Step 4: Idea finding: Generating and selecting the best available alternative(s) for solving the problem

Step 5: Solution finding: Using criteria to screen, select, and support ideas selected in idea finding

Step 6: Acceptance finding: Generating ways to implement the solution and developing a plan for action.

Steps in Creativity

Myths of Creativity

• Creativity Comes From Creative Types

• Money Is a Creativity Motivator

• Time Pressure Fuels Creativity• Fear Forces Breakthroughs• Competition Beats

Collaboration• A Streamlined Organization Is a

Creative Organization• Creativity Can't Be Learned• Only Gifted People Are

Creative• Creativity Just Happens

Common Creativity Myths DebunkedMichael Michalko, author of Cracking Creativity: The Secrets of Creative Genius. says that developing creativity is an "assumptions-breaking process." One way to develop creativity is to overcome the barriers and myths one assumes about creativity and who is a creative type. Below are just a few of the common myths surrounding creativity:

1. Creativity Comes From Creative Types

• Everyone has the potential within to be creative. This does not mean that everyone is a Picasso, but using creativity enhancing methods, everyone has the potential to contribute fresh, useful ideas and solutions.

• Creativity depends on a number of things:Experience, knowledge, technical skills, talent an ability to think new ways and capacity to push though uncreative day spells

2. Money Is a Creativity Motivator

• “Money isn’t everything”

• People who worry about money do very little creative thinking.

• People who put more value in work environment where creativity is supported.

The following quote does a great job in busting this myth:                          "Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of                                                         achievement, in the thrill of creative effort." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt

3. Time Pressure Fuels Creativity

• People are less creative when they are under pressure.

• Pressure stifles creativity because people can’t engage with the problem.

4. Fear Forces Breakthroughs

• Fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, joy and love are what people experience everyday. Creativity is positively associated with joy and love. Creativity is negatively associated with anger, fear and anxiety.

5. Competition Beats Collaboration

• Creativity takes a hit when people work in groups compete instead of collaborate.

• Most creative teams are those who have confidence in one another and share and talk about ideas.

• Thos who compete for recognition stop sharing information.

6. A Streamlined Organization Is a Creative Organization

• Downsizing is difficult for employees, but out of tough times can come strength, creativity and teamwork.

• Creativity suffers during downsizing

 Creativity Can't Be Learned

• Creativity Can't Be Learned

• This is a common misconception. TrueCreativity can be a natural talent, however, it also can be learned or developed.

Only Gifted People Are Creative

• Everyone has the potential within to be creative. This does not mean that everyone is a Picasso, but using creativity enhancing methods, everyone has the potential to contribute fresh, useful ideas and solutions.

Creativity Just Happens

• In this myth, people believe that creativity is spontaneous and happen through enlightened moments. In reality, creativity is generated through brainstorming and an endeavor to find solutions, new ideas, and problem solving techniques.

Overcoming Barriers to Group and Team

Creativityand Making

Collective Sparks Fly

We have all heard the old adage "two heads are better than one".  When it comes to generating creative ideas which spark innovation and problem solving, two heads are better than one.  But first, barriers must be removed.  Realizing the potential of group creativity is the key to a successful organization.  Many organizations stifle creativity by creating an environment unfavorable to the creative process.  Some of these barriers are:

*Making unreasonable demands

Organizations that demand performance based on time restricted goals and value not wasting time are placing creative barriers on their employees. It can be difficult to produce under pressure.

*Creating a culture where people are fearful of making a mistake

One barrier to creativity an organization can make is playing it safe, where taking risks is viewed as risky business. A more creative way of thinking would be "nothing ventured, nothing gained".

*Inflexible work rules

Organizations often stymie creative activity with rigid work rules and harboring of employer-employee tensions. No one can easily spark creative thinking under a strained atmosphere. Organizations with happy and motivated employees are creative think tanks.

*Not being open to change

Thinking there is only one way to solve a problem. Sticking with the standard mode of operation limits the possibility of innovation.

*A Sterile Workplace

Boring, dull, lifeless work environments do not stimulate the creative mind. Stimulating, inviting workplaces motivate people to be innovative and creative.

Techniques of Communication

• There are five main creative techniques used in the small group communication process– 1st is Brainstorming– 2nd is Nominal-Group Technique– 3rd is Delphi Technique– 4th is Electronic Brainstorming– 5th is The Affinity Technique

Brainstorming Technique• Brainstorming is a process to develop solutions to

problems• Some steps to Brainstorming include:– Including a wide range of people so different points of

view are included– Write down the problem at hand– Write down all possible solutions– Do not evaluate any solutions till process is completed– Once all solutions are created evaluate list and determine

best choice

The Nominal Group Technique

• Allow people to individually brainstorm for solutions to the problem

• Then as a group collect all possible solutions• Have each person then individually rank the solutions

in order of what they think is best• Next compare all rankings to decide what the group

thinks is best• Lastly allow discussion within the group about the

solutions

The Delphi Technique• The Delphi Technique involves three steps– Thesis– Antithesis– Synthesis• In thesis and antithesis everyone present gives their

opinion and establishes their views and opposing views • During the synthesis process opposing views and

accepted views are brought together to form a new thesis

Electronic Brainstorming • Electronic Brainstorming employs a software

that collects employees ideas and shares them with other group members to accomplish a goal faster and without face to face communication

• However a drawback of this technique is that solutions can not be discussed in as timely a manner as face to face interaction

The Affinity Technique• First have each individual write their solutions

to the problem on individual cards• Next order the cards into groups by “affinity”

or categories• Once the cards are grouped into categories

then come up with a central idea from the cards

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