Different types of creativity (integration, splitting, figure-ground reversal, distal thinking) contribute to innovation at work.
Cultivating creativity through daily practices and leadership support enhances problem-solving and innovative thinking in organizations.
Deep dives
Importance of Creativity in a Changing World
Creativity is crucial in today's rapidly changing and uncertain environment. As automation takes over routine tasks, human creativity becomes more essential for tackling novel and unpredictable challenges. Cultivating creativity allows individuals to thrive by offering fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to complex problems. By empowering people to embrace their creative potential, organizations can adapt and succeed in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Types of Creativity and Their Applications
Diverse types of creativity, including integration, splitting, figure-ground reversal, and distal thinking, play a significant role in problem-solving and innovation. Integration involves identifying commonalities among seemingly different concepts, as seen in the development of integrated devices like the iPhone. Splitting reveals distinctions within seemingly similar elements, leading to product differentiation and enhanced value propositions. Figure-ground reversal, such as in brain imaging research, uncovers unexpected solutions by shifting focus from the problem to underlying assumptions. Distal thinking propels visionary ideas, essential for breakthrough innovations like GPS or self-driving cars.
Nurturing Creativity at Individual and Organizational Levels
Enhancing creativity involves daily practices and behavioral shifts to stimulate innovative thinking. Seeking novelty and optimizing incubation periods foster creative ideation and problem-solving. Encouraging daydreaming and dreaming can enhance divergent thinking and imaginative explorations. Leaders can cultivate creativity by recognizing and celebrating creative efforts, promoting psychological safety for risk-taking, and fostering connections for collaborative innovation. By valuing and empowering creativity across all levels, organizations can build a culture that embraces diverse creative talents and drives continuous innovation.
We all know that creativity is the backbone of innovation and, ultimately, business success. But we don't always think deeply about how creative people get their ideas and the steps we might take to do the same. Gabriella Rosen Kellerman, a physician and chief product and chief innovation officer at BetterUp, and Martin Seligman, a professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, say there are four types of creativity -- integration, splitting, figure-ground reversal, and distal thinking -- and explain how each shows up at work. Amid startling advances in artificial intelligence, people who hone these skills will set themselves apart. Kellerman and Seligman are the authors of the HBR article “Cultivating the Four Kinds of Creativity” and the book Tomorrowmind.
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