Creative mindset

Cast your mind back to a moment in time where you were doing something creative.

When you had an ‘aha’ moment or solved a tricky problem.

How did that feel, that ‘flow state’? Why?

Creativity solves problems, and we appreciate the fruit of creative endeavours when we see and experience them.

"Life is nothing more than a stream of experiences - the more widely and deeply you swim in it, the richer your life will be. The reason creativity is so fascinating is that, when we are involved in it, we feel that we are living more fully than during the rest of life.” - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

The creative person...

• Is aware of their born predisposition (talent) for a particular area of knowledge and activity.
• Invests in expertise in the areas for which they are naturally talented and passionate.
• Is curious, interested, and engaged in culture, open to experience, and aware to the problems and opportunities.
• Has access: can study, be supported in that study, can acquire credibility through an institution or network, and can influence the gatekeepers, to establish respect and status.

We are all capable of creativity that solves a tricky, or maybe even sticky, problem. But we need to understand ourselves - how we think and what motivates us. And, we can ‘train’ our brains to be creative, harnessing the power of neuroplasticity by approaching creativity with intention and purpose.

You may have heard of the Growth Mindset, and the work of Carol Dweck. The Creative Mindset has necessarily different thinking.

• People with a ‘Growth Mindset’ believe their talents and abilities can be developed through hard work, good strategies and input from others. That is, through effort, learning, and persistence. They believe achievements are down to effort, not just inherent talent.
• People with a ‘Creative Mindset’ believe novel thinking and invention occurs where there is friction. Aware of the problems in contexts they inhabit, they are motivated to solve them. They are comfortable challenging assumptions and the status quo. They value experimentation.

Expressing the Creative Mindset requires creative conditions in order that creative expression is safe, welcomed and productive.

When considering how to build creativity in your team, establish the Creative Mindset, our first Creativity PlaySpace.

Follow these steps.

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1. Share and standardise knowledge.

• Establish the fundamental meanings and concepts of creativity.
• Reflect on personal experiences in common contexts.
• Share and explore case studies of different problem solving and creative thinking.

2. Define the potential.

Consider, ‘How might creativity help’?

• Human: How does creativity make each person feel? How is that useful?
• Organisation: What challenges, problems or opportunities are before the team and organisation? Where are we stuck? How might we approach things differently?
• Society: How might creativity help us connect and achieve our purpose?

3. Establish the Creative Mindset.

• Learn the Creative Mindset so that it can be expressed and fostered.
• Practice the Creative Mindset in the personal rhythm of life.
• Embed the Creative Mindset in team operating rhythms.

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Visit the second Creativity PlaySpace, Creative Conditions.

Visit the third Creativity PlaySpace, Creative Design.

Learn about Behaviour and Identity.

View case studies.

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