Creativity. Formula or fluke?

It’s a fact. Some of the best inventions in the world were born out of chance discovery, when things went wrong and a bold experiment resulted in an exciting break through.

Penicillin? Potato chips? The humble Post-It note? Yep, by most accounts these were accidental inventions. But such “accidents” are often outcomes of allowing, of consciously pursuing, creative endeavours. 

The enemy of creativity

In an enterprise environment, effective process generally exists to stamp out anomalies and limit variance. To protect proven results from the unknown. Yet the ‘unknown’ is where discovery takes place. It’s where creativity can shine light to reveal new value. 

Sadly, in the modern workforce, talk of creativity can tend to invoke undesirable connotations. Have you ever encouraged this - or maybe felt it yourself? The seemingly 'soft' expression of creativity can appear to be in conflict with the disciplined, systems-based corporate world. A 'creative' soul might be lost in the clouds, not grounded, a dreamer.

But could it be that creativity is the driving force of innovation?

Where things went wrong

It could be that many of the best systems we built to help, have gone on to hold us back. For example, our schooling years are typically shaped around development of ‘hard’ skills, with a little dash of free-play snuck in around the edges.

More often than not we're taught to do things the same way as others, how to ‘fit in’ and how to conform with what's expected in modern society. Not to speak out.

Yet expression is what defines us as individuals and plays a part in ensuring a diversity of perspective. And thankfully; luck may have led many of us to learn from a fantastic teacher, professor, school or mentor who placed great value on true creative expression.

Should our future, our very ability to do better with our natural resources, be left to such chance?

I'd like to think the answer is much simpler than it may seem.

Restoring balance to unlock growth

As we establish our careers, strive for process mastery, then more so as we advance - it’s creativity that suddenly pops back up as a pressing need (my thoughts on this here)

Efficiency needs process. But solving complex new problems requires different ways of thinking, new perspective, creativity. For a long time this wasn’t acknowledged, though now more studies are appearing - but perhaps it's in the balance between both worlds that the real potential lies for those willing and able to exercise both qualities at work. Creativity without execution is of course equally imbalanced.

To restore the balance, creativity can simply be a part of every day work life.

The changing nature of work

Looking ahead, it will absolutely be creativity that helps many of us to find our role within the changing workforce as automation, robotics and super-intelligent software empower the systems-based world we’ve known and help to run it for us…

I'm a believer of the thought that creativity and connection are central to what makes us human. And that we need to rise around allowing and encouraging these practices more and more, in the workplace and in our daily lives.

So what is everyday creativity?

For some people it may be a career choice, but for most of us creativity could simply be considered a mindset. Creativity within your existing day might not involve taking out an hour to practice oil painting (although there’s nothing wrong with that). But might involve simply cooking a meal at home with creative intent - allowing 'play' and experimentation with new ingredients and presentation.

Here are some simple everyday ideas.

• Team up with someone new today, ask for their ideas and tackle a complex problem together on the whiteboard, instead of by yourself at your computer.
• Don't get stuck going for perfect, you might be trapping your creative genius. Let your raw ideas flow out first then correct, edit when you're ready.
• Next time you snap a photo on your iPhone, pause and make it a great one - compose with intent and let yourself enjoy the moment.
• Kill the thousand-word PowerPoint (before it kills you, or more likely your audience) and get creative with simple, meaningful slides.
• Ban assumption. We can get stuck on our way of seeing things, how do the people around you do the little things you might do on autopilot throughout the day?
• Or simply make time to write your focus for the week with creative intent, down on nice paper (not just in your digital diary). Undiscovered thoughts may emerge.

Creativity truly is like a muscle, so give yourself space without expectations and simply see what you can create. Most importantly, you might find it fun!

My personal views and musings only, follow for more. William Murphy