If you're involved in a field like creativity, sooner or later you are faced with the question: "What is it?"

First, let's assume that you already have a fairly good sense of what creativity is. Please post a comment below and tell me your ideas!

Here's the very simple perspective that I like to hold (it leaves so much room for others and myself to build on):

My simple definition allows me to take a fairly inclusive view of creativity, rather than focusing on only one type of creativity, such as creative thinking or artistic creativity. This simple perspective? Wait for it...

Creativity is the potential or propensity for creating something of value. Wow!!!

...of course it's overly simplistic, and leaves out much of the nuance and the nice frilly bits that I have come to love and cherish. I promise to refine and constrain this broad view for particular contexts and purposes as the context demands - cross my heart etc.

OK, now that the volcanic fireworks have died down, here are a few insightful quotes:

• "Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil are located in the same individual." ARTHUR KOESTLER (Author)
• "Creativity arises out of the tension between spontaneity and limitations, the latter (like the river banks) forcing the spontaneity into the various forms which are essential to the work of art or poem." ROLLO MAY (Psychologist)
• "Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." SCOTT ADAMS (Cartoonist)
• "Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. You look at a set of elements, the same ones everyone else sees, but then reassemble those floating bits and pieces into an enticing new possibility." ROSABETH MOSS KANTER (Business Consultant)

 

Posted by Gopal Ramasammy-Cook (Career-Creative Coach, ZestWare) on Wednesday, July 13, 2008