Myth #2:   We think of creativity in absolutes – you either have it or you don’t – versus a continuum.

While it’s true you might not be able to compose like Mozart or paint like Monet, don’t you think you have a little bit of creativity within you?

What about that time you moved into a new role and had to develop a process to address a particular business challenge?  And what if you customize a process you created at another company – but apply it differently at your new company? Doesn’t that fit our more expansive definition of creativity?

When I work with teams to discover their untapped creative potential, I often ask them to remember back to a time in their youth.  For me, I showed early signs of my love of facilitation when I was 8.  I loved directing plays in our garage with all the neighborhood kids (at least those that were younger and shorter than I was).  It was fun bringing together a diverse group of kids, convincing then to play together nicely, and having a successful outcome (a play that we could perform for our parents).   I didn’t need to be the star of the play – it was more fun for me to be behind the scenes, making things happen.

And so now I will ask you…when you were younger, what came easily to you?  Maybe you even got a nickname for it.  What is your own unique brand of creativity?  How could you apply that natural talent to some personal or professional challenge facing you today?

Creativity and Innovation, FireFly Facilitation, Kimberly Douglas, Leadership Development  Tagged , , , No Comments »