WHAT IS CREATIVE THINKING?

by Kathy Kegley, Ph.D.

Creative thinking is a mental process that results in new ideas. It has been hailed as the ultimate economic advantage and a company's most valuable resource. It has also been called the "fuzzy frond end" of innovation, a core competency for effective leadership and an essential attribute for remaining competitive in business. Everyone has the ability to think creatively, yet a surprising number of people still believe it's all about art (it isn't) or that they "just aren't creative" (which can become a self-fulfilling prophecy).

Creative thinking is the ability to generate many ideas, look at things from different perspectives and find new connections between concepts previously thought to be unrelated. Einstein once described creative thinking as a kind of mental combinatorial play with ideas. Creative thinking is based on a curiosity and openness to new possibilities that is natural in children and often lost in the process of growing up. One key aspect of creative thinking is that judgment is absent in this kind of thinking. Some creativity techniques suggest that judgment is "withheld" and this perspective is unfortunate; it sounds as if judgment is present but suppressed. In a true state of creative thinking, judgment does not exist. Ideas, especially absurd ones, are explored with the "what if" delight of a child.

While everyone is capable of reclaiming this essence of creative thinking, many people have lost touch with their innate ability to think creatively due to an over reliance on critical thinking. There is no denying the value of critical thinking, but for whole-brain thinking a balance must be found and the two types of thinking need to be able to work together seamlessly. One theory of creativity suggests that thinking occurs across a continuum, with free-style imagination at one end and critical thinking at the other. A person who cannot think creatively is essentially stuck at the critical thinking end of the continuum. Both kinds of thinking are valuable, and developing an ability to switch back and forth at will is the ultimate goal.

Whether you are a leader, an innovator or just happen to be in search of a good idea, we can help. Contact us for more information or a needs analysis.