Out of the box. That’s what we think of when someone asks us what creativity is. Actually, it’s often just a different way of thinking. We are trained to think in linear fashion- so we never consider the nonlinear approaches whatsoever. That’s what schooling teaches- to answer the questions in a linear, step-by-step fashion.
What made Microsoft its money wasn’t the development of DOS or Windows. That just got it started. What made it ubiquitous was “Office” – the common interface and integration of word-processing, spreadsheets, eMail, and database. It did not attempt to make the best word processing program (WordPerfect or WordStar), the best spreadsheet (SuperCalc or Lotus)- it focused on providing the best overall software for all applications in a single package.
One of my mentors, Arthur Lipper III, introduced me to the thinking of Louis Mobley, who started the IBM Executive School. (This was how and when I began using dashboards to ascertain corporate performance). Mobley wrote a great book called Beyond IBM (revised since my copy was obtained). The premise was that conventional financial reports did not provide sufficient information to run a corporation- and stifled creative thought.
The basis of all creative efforts is to ask different questions than one normally considers- it insures the development of creative results. It often requires unlearning whole systems of thought and problem analysis. There is no concept of ‘learning’ to be creative- we need to BE creative. As the joke (it’s not so funny) goes- doing the same thing and expecting different results is the definition of insanity.
You had to understand who you are; only with this understanding can one’s innate bias be ascertained and discarded with ease. And, that also means that mistakes will be made- and would be acceptable. The fear of making a mistake is among the primary reasons people can’t be creative. It also means you have to have faith in yourself.
Especially in today’s world, we can’t afford to be blindsided by a completely unanticipated action. Getting blindsided means one was not creative, not able to discern potential breakthroughs. It’s why creative leaders, entrepreneurs, and artists are not on a quest to be accepted, to be loved. They have a desire to change the world- and preserve in spite of rejection.
Such a great post, Roy. As I like to say, we go out of this world in a box so why would we want to live in one? All my life, I have pushed and poked at the edges. I’ve seldom fit into cookie cutter situations or resolved major issues logically. I didn’t know what I wanted to study at university so I took a year off and toured as a professional figure skater. Unusual approach to a common issue. I turned you can’t dos into oh, yes I cans anytime I could…often with a middle finger raised in salute. We have so much creative potential that can be applied in all areas of our lives…career, financial, problem solving, relationships, artistic pursuits. Encouraging this in ourselves and others generates opportunities for a very different world. What if can be just the beginning if we don’t let our logical, small thinking self get in the way.
Tambre Leighn/coaching by tambre recently posted..Hotels For Hope AND For a Good Cause!
Loved you addition, Tambre.
I could have guess that you were a figure skater (oh, I was so tempted to say… “It figured”….)
Thanks for your comments.
Roy
Life throws so many curves and finding solutions to life is about creativity. But as for being loved or creative – sorry Roy, I want BOTH. And that is also possible but one does need to recognize that you may not be liked by many when you find creative solutions that make people uncomfortable.
Roberta recently posted..Stuck in Martyrdom
I think you mean being loved a someone- we all want that. But, when you create a new path, that means change- and that does not engender feelings of love in the general populace. Too many folks think that being perfect- never making a mistake- never venturing out and trying something new- which means that everyone can feel “good” hanging around you (unless, of course, you really can attain near perfection, which renders you a pariah, as well)… But, it precludes creative effort…
Distinction accepted. However I don’t think I would go a far as saying a perfect and pariah in the same sentence. And perfection seems to be only in the mind of the martyr. The rest of us know that the only thing we can perfectly be is ourselves
Roberta recently posted..Stuck in Martyrdom
I don’t think I could add anything to that, Roberta…
I like your take on this. Without creativity, we wouldn’t have the technology we have now and we’d still be doing things the old way. The need to be accepted and loved can be an anchor on creative types who want to see their ideas and visions put into practice. The more creative we allow ourselves to be, the more changes we can make in the world. As always, a very insightful blog post. Thanks!
Lisa Kanarek recently posted..Drawing the Line Between Your Business and Personal Relationships
Glad you liked it, Lisa.
Guess that’s cause we both know that it doesn’t make a difference if we are dressed to the nines or stark naked- it’s our ideas and actions that count, and make the difference in this world.
Thanks for dropping in.
Roy
It’s true, creative folks are seeking out new ways to innovate and challenge the status quo. It’s not about being loved, it’s to keep pushing the envelope and make people think, be outside of themselves. Great work, Roy.
Jen Olney recently posted..Support Your Local Community. Small Business Saturday
Spot on, Jen!
As long as one knows that being creative is not part of a popularity game, then the reactions one may or may not receive don’t become the issue.
Roy
Creative and loved. That is my choice. Why not?
But you are right, the unlearning is often the hardest part. Like looking for the salsa in the fridge…behind there…in the corner…no…on the other shelf…”Honey, don’t we have an open can of salsa?” Of course, the salsa is right in front of my face, just in a different container than our usual brand.
David Leonhardt recently posted..Christmas Money Tip: Maximize Your Credit Card Rewards
David-
Loved the salsa, looking in all the familiar places for the familiar
Roy
“A desire to change the world”… I love that Roy. Entrepreneurs in general, are creative thinkers, out of the box and twisting it around. I know for me sometimes I feel my creativity others won’t get it, so I will hold back or stay within the lines. You post has reminded me that it is truly important to take that step out, because it really is a part of changing the world, no matter how big or small.
Lynn Brown recently posted..Top 3 Worst Blogging Strategies You May Be Falling For
Thanks for your comments, Lynn…
And, you are spot on- if you don’t take that step, you can never create something new!
Roy
I totally agree that a lack of creativity is to blame for a lot of the ways we get blindsided or stuck. But it’s also worth mentioning that we can’t always expect to think of everything on our own. Working in a community of creative individuals produces MUCH more interesting and out-of-the-box viewpoints than when one person obsesses about something on their own. (Trust me on this one; I’ve done the footwork.) Using our human tendency to socialize can be an enormous help to improving our individual creativity.
Ellie Di recently posted..Eff Mercury Retrograde (or) Survival Skills for a Three-Week Cosmic Spanking
Ellie-
You might have done the footwork, but that’s not the last word for most people.
I agree that working in teams is neat. And, that teams CAN be highly creative. But, teams can also cause creativity to diminish (due to the NIH syndrome, personal interactions, and myriads of other reasons). And, many creative folks don’t work well with others.
I don’t think a painter will benefit from a group effort, nor will many composers.
Roy
Hey Roy,
Tony Robbins ( in his “get the edge” course) talks about the importance of asking ourselves different ( possibly better) questions. That’s the only way that our subconscious can come up with better answers and eventually lead us to a quality action plan.
Thanks for the share
Akos
Akos Fintor recently posted..Want vs. Need | The Downfall of an Iphone
And, thank you for that great addition, Akos!
Really enjoyed this post Roy. One of my biggest complaints to our college of Teachers was the incredible stifling of creativity on the part of teacher (in terms of teaching) and for the children. There is a type of teaching developed called Montesori that was actually developed for children who were thought at the time to be lost causes. This woman created way to teach using natural curiosity and it worked. We need to go back to this way of thinking when teaching. I’m sure some teachers would kill me for saying this but we need more TIME to teach and do so by opening minds rather than writing on them.
I’ve seen how stifling corporations are. The ‘higher ups’ often don’t want to change or do anything differently in case is upsets shareholders, managers are so overloaded from top up and top down they lose their spark. It’s really sad.
Honestly I love doing workshops because I have the time to draw out and allow the creative mind to kick in again. The joy is there. We just need to get using it again!
Bonnie recently posted..Oh the holiday budget…
Absolutely true, Bonnie.
We need the creative types to be stimulated- to grow our economy, to reach new clients/customers, and to delight the receive of the goods or services.
Why one can lose sight of that is beyond me.
Roy
Hello Roy,
This is definitely an interesting post. But what I couldn’t figure out was how you are trying to compare creativity and being loved. Creativity is important and probably one of the main ways to move forward but it can be integrated with being loved. In spite of being rejected for what you might innovate and come up with; there will be plenty of people who will love you for at least giving it a try.
As for the mass appeal and being loved by many, then there might be a catch. In spite of so many great inventions and ideas, there are many people who aren’t loved. Critics are there everywhere. And then there is the point of not being able to please all. The internet being such a great medium of information and entertainment comes with its own set of critics. So, I really don’t truly understand the comparison between creative and being loved. One should be loved for what they are – creative or not! 🙂
Did I make sense, or didn’t I understand the whole point in the first place 🙂
Hajra recently posted..What are you looking for?
If you want to be loved, you generally will not stretch the envelope beyond it’s norms. People’s opinions will weigh you down.
To do something original and creative, you have to rely on your intuition, belief, and training- alone.
Roy