Theories about creativity have existed for hundreds of years. Albert Einstein famously said that the real sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination, while Thomas Edison noted that creativity was 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.
While these sayings are well-known and easily accepted, the topic of creativity is often misunderstood. Creativity can be an incredibly valuable soft skill for all kinds of organizations, even industrial teams. As industry continues to transition into the age of technology, creative problem solving could be an asset to your company.
Ideologies like creativity usually only apply to artists, or individuals who are born to be creative tend to be the train of thought of many. What we fail to realize is that creativity involves the generation of original ideas or application of knowledge that can bring value to an organization and is not limited only to artistic fields.
6 Myths About Workplace Creativity
1. People are Born with a Creative Streak
It is widely accepted that the construct of our brain – how our dominant brain side determines whether we are creative or logical – determines how creative we are.
However, our brain network is complicated, so the theory isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Because the brain is a muscle that benefits from exercise, creativity is an element that is honed through practice and newly learned information.
2. Financial Incentives are Key to Harnessing Creativity in Staff
Late Cornell Professor John Condry was firm in his belief that rewards stifle creativity. The promise of a reward for completion of tasks tends to shift focus from innovation and creative thinking to the value of compensation. Individuals who benefit from incentives dedicate their time to activities that would provide the fastest returns; these types of assignments are usually simple, so time for creative thinking is neglected.
3. Organizations Cannot Build Creativity
Ways to build creativity in an organization include hiring staff with strong creative experience and constructing a working environment in which staff members are encouraged to think outside of the box and generate fresh ideas. Time must be invested in systems that will inspire creative thinking, support professional development, and foster passion for the job.
4. You Can Get Hired Solely on Technical Skills
While being technically adept is crucial to job success, it is not the only contributing factor. According to the 2018 Future of Jobs Report by the World Economic Forum, creativity, among other skills such as complex problem solving, leadership, and time management, are highly desired by employers to ensure business success.
Creativity is projected to continue to be a required asset in recruitment. Although this facet is not the only factor attributed to company benefits, it is estimated that it will be essential even in the year 2022.
5. Organizations Should Designate Thinking Rooms and Creativity Time
Idea generation is sporadic; therefore, managers cannot expect to dictate when and where this will occur. Instead, take a holistic approach within the corporation at all times so that employees are able to think freely and come up with the best ideas that benefit the company.
6. Your Role in the Corporation Dictates Your Creativity Level
Traditionally, roles in the arts, such as graphic designing, advertising, and marketing, were deemed to be the only roles to warrant creative thinking. However, businesses now recognize that many facets of their organizational structure can benefit from creative problem solving, innovations that simplify tasks, and ideas that enhance their bottom line.