Creatively Creating More Creativity

Quick…what does “creativity” mean to you? If you automatically conjure thoughts of crayons and paste, of sculptures and works by Old Masters, and of pottery wheels and hit songs, you’re right…partially right, anyway.

Oxford Online defines creativity as, “the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work.” That aligns with most peoples’ definition of creativity – more in the direction of art, music, and maybe even interior design and architecture. Creativity is SO much more than that and is a valuable skill that everyone can benefit from developing.

According to the American Psychological Association, writing about ongoing research studies around creativity, most scientists agree that there are two kinds of creativity – little “c” creativity and big “C” creativity. Little “c” creativity is used as an indicator of mental health and relates to everyday problem-solving skills and adaptability when the need arises. Big “C” creativity is when someone solves a problem or creates a process that impacts how people think, feel, and live their lives. According to researcher and psychologist Dean Keith Simonton, PhD, of the University of California, Davis, big “C” creativity is what Nobel Prizes and Pulitzer Prizes are awarded for.

You don’t have to develop that level of creativity, and if you do, thank you in advance for the improvements you’ll bring to the world. In a work/team/life/love perspective, little “c” creativity is vital, and developing that muscle in yourself will help you feel more fulfilled and be more successful.

One ability that creative people have and less-creative people don’t is the ability to see things from different perspectives. Think of the managers you’ve worked for, and maybe some of the challenges you may have faced as a manager – do you think the ability to see different perspectives would have made a difference in team dynamics, interpersonal spats, and the ability of the team to stay on-mission and deliver the desired results?

Yeah – developing your “creativity muscle” is that important. If you need a little help with amping up your creative thought processes, the world’s second-shortest podcast can help. Here are three episodes on the topic of fostering a more flexible mind:

• Just what the heck is creativity, anyway? There’s a Tiny Bite for that!
• Can creativity make you more confident? There’s a Tiny Bite for that!
• Do you know how creative you already are? There’s a Tiny Bite for that!

In less than 90 seconds per day, the Wellbeing Wisdom Tiny Bites podcast dishes up actionable content that won’t bog down your day. Find it wherever you listen to podcasts and at the Center for Workplace Happiness website.

As you think about your current team, whether it’s a team of family members, friends, or co-workers, imagine them as a more cohesive, more cooperative, more fun and focused group of people. Now, get creative – how can you lead them to that outcome? I’m excited to read your ideas!

Wags,
Sandy Weaver
Program Director, Center for Workplace Happiness