mcgraw-hill/irwin 2010 modified by jackie kroening 2011 creativity and human relations chapter 12

McGraw-Hill/Irwin 2010 Modified by Jackie Kroening 2011

CREATIVITY AND HUMAN RELATIONS

Chapter 12

Parts taken from Human Relations 4ed Modified by Jackie Kroening 2011

The Creativity Connection Creativity

* Ability to produce ideas or problems to solutions that are unique, appropriate, and valuable.

Related to self-esteem and relationships. Business factors (the number and quality of

products) are affected by the creativity of employees.

** Many companies and some countries have started taking creativity seriously but most companies don’t.


What is Creativity

Creative people have flexibility and fluency in ideas.

Distinction between creativity with a big “C” and with a small “c.” Big “C” sees creativity as a new concept

valued by society, and produced to fulfill that role.

Small “c” is related more to one’s personal experience.


What is Creativity(Idealization Creation)

Creative people Usually average/above average in

intelligence. Although smart, are also often naive. Should be able to engage in “divergent

thinking.” Being a genius does not make someone

creative.


Perception and Creativity

** Groups have their own beliefs about what should be done and how it should be done; this is called collective habits of thought.

Perception is the way in which a person views the world.

Sometimes people’s perceptions are blocked or distorted by rules that they think they need to follow.


Perception and Creativity

Characteristics of creative people Expert knowledge. Openness to new experiences. Independent spirit. Internal motivation. Persistence.

** Intuition


Inside the Creative Process

Graham Wallas described four basic steps in the creative process:

1. Perception and Preparation

2. Incubation

3. Inspiration

4. Verification


Inside the Creative Process Step One: Perception and Preparation

* Perception is the beginning point. ** Make sure that you perceive the problem accurately

Make sure the idea is useful and real.

Step Two: ** Incubation Might take minutes, hours, months or even years. May involve research and experimentation.

Step Three: Inspiration Also called “illumination.” Incubation and struggle come together to form a real concept. Wallas called this step the ‘happy idea(s).’

Step Four: Verification This is an important step. The newly created concept/product/service is proven to be

worthwhile.


Creativity in the Workplace

An effective manager must encourage creativity among employees by creating a climate of deferred judgment.

They may use a formal method for receiving suggestions, with all employees knowing the procedure.

Companies are beginning to use reward systems to encourage creative suggestions.


Creative Methods for Groups

Brainstorming ** Spontaneous group discussion to find

multiple solutions for problems. Devised by Alex Osborne in 1934. Consists of two sessions. Works best for solving simple, well-defined

problems; can also be used in any context.



Brainstorming - First session:1. Participants speak in phrases.

2. Hitchhiking on others’ ideas is encouraged.

3. Criticism is forbidden.

4. Silliness is encouraged.

5. Climate is relaxed.

6. All ideas are recorded.

7. A large quantity of ideas is encouraged.



Brainstorming - Second session:1. Return to rational mode.

2. All ideas are analyzed and prioritized.

3. Idea duplications are eliminated.

4. Ideas are ranked in order of importance.

5. Everyone gives evaluative input.



The Nominal Group method Encourages creativity in a group by

allowing everyone to offer individual, anonymous ideas.

** Effective when used with shy/unassertive people.

Involves six steps.


Creative Problem Solving

Intrinsic motivation is more powerful than extrinsic motivation in encouraging creativity.

Companies focus more on extrinsic than on intrinsic rewards for creativity.

Intrinsic rewards drive employee self-esteem. Creative problem solving is a useful skill that

all employees will need to develop.


Strategies for Success

Increase your creativity:1. Get into the open mode.

2. Think of yourself as a creative person.

3. Learn to see problems as opportunities.

4. Look for more than one or two solutions to a problem.

5. Learn to play the violin.



Increase your creativity (cont.):6. Turn your ideas into action.

7. Don’t be afraid to break some rules.

8. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

9. Spend time with creative people.

10. Capture creative ideas when they happen.



“Ten Mental Locks”:1. Look for the one right answer.2. That is not logical.3. Follow the rules.4. Be practical.5. Play is frivolous.6. That isn’t my area.7. Don’t be foolish.8. Avoid ambiguity.9. To err is wrong.10. I’m not creative.



Use Bob Eberle’s SCAMPER to solve problems Substitute - Is there a person, place, or object that

might work better? Combine - Are there ideas, goals, or purposes that

could be combined? Adapt - Are there parts of the plan or the process I

can reshape or fit to this issue? Modify - How and what can I alter, revise, enlarge,

or shrink to resolve this issue?



Use Bob Eberle’s SCAMPER to solve problems (cont.): Put to another use - What can I put to

different or new uses to resolve the problem?

Eliminate - What can be omitted, simplified, or removed?

Rearrange - Can I change the order of events, the plan itself, or the desired outcome?

mcgraw-hill/irwin 2010 modified by jackie kroening 2011 creativity and human relations chapter 12

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