What is Creativity?

Can you define Creativity?

Would you know

creativity if you saw

it?

Defining Creativity:

• cre⋅a⋅tiv⋅i⋅ty [ [kree-ey-tiv-i-tee, kree-uh-]–noun

•1. the state or quality of being creative. 2. the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination: the need for creativity in modern industry; creativity in the performing arts. 3. the process by which one utilizes creative ability: Extensive reading stimulated his creativity (Dictionary.com Unabridged).

Some Definitions of Creativity according to Dorothy Leonard-Barton and Walter

C. Swap, the write

rs of When Sparks Fly: Igniting Creativity in Groups

“Creativity is that process which results in a novel work that is accepted as

tenable or useful for satisfying by a group at some point in tim

e.”

“A product or response will b

e judged as creative to the extent that (a

) it is

both a novel and appropriate, useful, correct or valuable response to the

task at hand, and (b) the task is heuristic [not having a clear and readily

identifiable path to solution] rather th

an algorithmic [th

e path to the

solution is clear and straightforward].”

“A company is creative when its employees do something new and potentially

useful without being directly shown or taught.”

“Creativity is…the production of something that is both new and truly

valuable.”

“Creativity…involves a process that is extended in time and characterized

by originality, adaptiveness, and realization.”

Note, each has a distinctive spin on the concept of creativity, all agree that

creativity is a process, that it

involves the generation of something novel

and unusual, and that the outcome of th

e process is something useful

(Leonard-Barton & Swap, 1999, p. 8).

Why Study Creativity in Teams?

Because:

It's not just the product: Apple CEO Steve Jobs and other top corporate executives around the country are successful because of their passion and their great communication skills, writes

BusinessWeek's Carmine Gallo.

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”

Steve Jobs

The opposite of creativity is cynicism. -- Esa Saarinen

cynicism (countable and uncountable; plural cynicisms)(uncountable) a skeptical, scornful or pessimistic attitude.(uncountable) an emotion of jaded negativity, or a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of other people. Cynicism can manifest itself by frustration, disillusionment and distrust in regard to organizations, authorities and other aspects of society, often due to previous bad experience. Cynics often view others as motivated solely by disguised self-interest.(countable) a skeptical, scornful or pessimistic comment or act (Wiktionary, October 2009).

Why Study Creativity in Teams?

Because: People who are trained in creativity are truly more creative!

Overcoming Barriers to Group and Team

Creativityand Making

Collective Sparks Fly

We have all heard the old adage "two heads are better than one.” 

When it comes to generating creative ideas which spark innovation and problem solving, two heads are better than one. 

But first, barriers must be removed.  Realizing the potential of group creativity is the key to a successful organization.  Many organizations stifle creativity by creating an environment unfavorable to the creative process.  Some of these barriers are:

*Making unreasonable demands

Organizations that demand performance based on time restricted goals and value not wasting time are placing creative barriers on their employees. It can be difficult to produce under pressure.

*Creating a culture where people are fearful of making a mistake

One barrier to creativity an organization can make is playing it safe, where taking risks is viewed as risky business.  A more creative way of thinking would be "nothing ventured, nothing gained".

*Inflexible work rules

Organizations often stifle creative activity with rigid work rules and harboring of employer-employee tensions.  No one can easily spark creative thinking under a strained atmosphere.  Organizations with happy and motivated employees are creative think tanks.

*Not being open to change

Thinking there is only one way to solve a problem.  Sticking with the standard mode of operation limits the possibility of innovation.  

*A Sterile Workplace

Boring, dull, lifeless work environments do not stimulate the creative mind.  Stimulating, inviting workplaces motivate people to be innovative and creative.

Techniques of Communication

• There are five main creative techniques used in the small group communication process– 1st is Brainstorming– 2nd is Nominal-Group Technique– 3rd is Delphi Technique– 4th is Electronic Brainstorming– 5th is The Affinity Technique

Brainstorming Technique

• Brainstorming is a process to develop solutions to problems

• Some steps to Brainstorming include:– Including a wide range of people so different

points of view are included– Write down the problem at hand– Write down all possible solutions– Do not evaluate any solutions till process is

completed– Once all solutions are created evaluate list and

determine best choice

The Nominal Group Technique

• Allow people to individually brainstorm for solutions to the problem

• Then as a group collect all possible solutions

• Have each person then individually rank the solutions in order of what they think is best

• Next compare all rankings to decide what the group thinks is best

• Lastly allow discussion within the group about the solutions

The Delphi Technique

• The Delphi Technique involves three steps– Thesis– Antithesis– Synthesis• In thesis and antithesis everyone present

gives their opinion and establishes their views and opposing views • During the synthesis process opposing views

and accepted views are brought together to form a new thesis

Electronic Brainstorming

• Electronic Brainstorming employs a software that collects employees ideas and shares them with other group members to accomplish a goal faster and without face to face communication

• However a drawback of this technique is that solutions can not be discussed in as timely a manner as face to face interaction

The Affinity Technique

• First have each individual write their solutions to the problem on individual cards

• Next order the cards into groups by “affinity” or categories

• Once the cards are grouped into categories then come up with a central idea from the cards

of

CREATI

VE

BE