Dina notes a whole conversation based around her original posting on creativity (and the original posting upon which that was based).
Particularly the critical article on use of tools by Alan.
.....don't get me wrong. All of the "tools" I've mentioned, and those that I've forgot or have yet to discover, are all great. But they're not creativity tools. Simply tools that help creative people express their ideas -- once the ideas were thought of, developed and ultimately executed traditionally -- in the mind of the creator.....
....... creativity starts with the brain, cognition and the ability to unlearn things that have been taught -- much like a child -- only then can you truly be free to think. And only then should you turn to tools in order to help you express and communicate ......
I would certainly agree with these points, although as Dina points out 'perhaps we play with semantics'. Clarity is important and in such areas perhaps necessary. I think the clear principle here is one of working out ways to be creative.
My Thoughts on this:
I have also used a variety of tools, some with more success than others. None of these made me more 'creative'. They did help me channel my own creativity. Some helped me to 'play' although I don't need much encouragement to do that.
I wonder whether there isn't a contextual point here about the environments in which one can be creative and can 'play'.
Definitions (my own)
Creativity may be loosely defined as coming up with new ideas or approaches.
Play, for me, is about experimentation, its about learning and reordering the world, and to a certain extent freeing one's mind from context and constraint.
Innovation when you take that creativity, combined with some play, and apply it to the real world to some effect (usually a complete break as to what went before).
Context
Business environments generally don't lend themselves to play, they rarelt encourage innovation (at least truely encourage rather than pay lip service to the idea) and often stifle creativity too. How? By emphasising results, by expecting numbers, by establishing processes, by invoking good practice.
Are any of these things wrong? Well, I believe that the answer is 'No!' but it depends upon the context. That being what you, as a business person are trying to achieve. If you want your operations to run like clockwork in the same way, then generally that's fine. You don't want any creativity it would distract from the point. But when your competitor from down the road, lowers rpices, increases productivity and makes in roaads into your market share - you've got to respond and you have got to be creative.
But your context, the way your company works goes against that. The conclusion being that you really want to be creative all the time, keep looking for innovation and do lots of playing along the way.
A child's view
I was told a story (and apologies to whoever did - I should reference you) about a firm who invited school children in to review their business. In essence these children were deemed the consultants. Because they were children they askedall sorts of damn stupid questions, like why? what? how? and kept on asking them until they got a satisfactory answer. In doing this they started to alter the views of the people within the firm. Firstly because they challenged what existed and made people justify it. And secondly because they had a different viewpoint, naive if you will, they encouraged the employees to have a different viewpoint and start to think of new ways to work. igniting creativity, encouraging play.
Would this come under the heading of a creativity tool? Probably. I'm not suggesting everyone should go and get children to analyse their business, but rather to approach things with this kind of naiviety, without any prejudice or assumptions.
Enjoyment
Play to me also implies enjoyment, fun, laughter and a jolly good time was had by all. That also seems to get missed. I've got to be excited to be creative. I've got to be enjoying myself and that has defintely got to be the context for me delivering my best work.
Conclusion
Have fun! Be a child! Play lots.
All these are tools, processes, catalysts to get to a certain point or output. Use tools as a starting point or a block remover but always consider the points above. Context will give you better chance of success, and enjoyment will improve your hit rate.
Any of that makes sense?
Posted by Paul Goodison at August 10, 2003 01:00 AM | TrackBack