Creative thinking

CREATIVE
THINKING

CREATIVETH

What Is Creative Thinking?
Creative thinking means thinking outside the box. Often, creativity involves lateral
thinking, which is the ability to perceive patterns that are not obvious.

Creative thinking might mean devising new ways to carry out

tasks, solve problems, and meet challenges. It means bringing
a fresh, and sometimes unorthodox,
perspective to your work. This way of thinking can help
departments and organizations be more productive.

Creativity thinking isn't limited to artistic types. Helping you look
Creative thinking is a skill that anyone can nurture at problems and
and develop. situation from a
fresh perspective
How Creative Thinking Works
Opportunities for creative thought in the workplace
vary from obvious artistic positions to highly techni-
cal ones. Generally, anything that involves an “aha”
moment is considered creative. Here are some
examples of how to display creative thinking in
different jobs.

Artistic Creativity
You don't have to be an artist for your work to have an artistic
element. Perhaps you arrange retail displays for maximum
impact or shape the path of an enticing hiking trail. Other
artistically creative tasks might include designing logos, writing
advertising copy, creating the packaging for a product, or drafting
a phone script for a fundraising drive.

Creative Problem-Solving
Creative problem-solving stands out as innovative. A creative
problem-solver will find new solutions rather than simply identify-
ing and implementing the norm. You might brainstorm new ways
to reduce energy use, find new ways to cut costs during a budget
crisis, or develop a unique litigation strategy to defend a client.

Creativity in STEM
Some people think of science and engineering as the opposite of art and
creativity. That's not true. The fields of science, technology, engineering,
and math (STEM) are highly creative. Designing a more efficient assem-
bly line robot, writing an innovative new computer program, or develop-
ing a testable hypothesis are all highly creative acts.

The history of science and technology is filled with projects that didn't
work, not because of errors in technique or methodology, but because
people remained stuck in their assumptions and old habits. STEM fields

INKING
Types of Creative Thinking
Creative thinking is expressed in several ways. Here are some of the types of creative
thinking you might see in the workplace.

Analysis
Before thinking creatively about something, you rst have to be able to understand it. This
requires the ability
to examine things carefully to know what they mean. Whether you are looking at a text, a
data set, a lesson
plan, or an equation, you need to be able to analyze it rst.

Open-Mindedness
To think creatively, set aside any assumptions or biases you may have, and look at things in a
completely new
way. By coming to a problem with an open mind, you allow yourself the chance to think
creatively.
Problem-Solving Employers want creative employees who will help them to solve
work-related issues. When faced with a problem, consider ways that you can solve it before
asking for help. If you need the input of a manager, suggest solutions rather than just
presenting problems.

Organization
This might seem counterintuitive: Aren’t creative people known for being somewhat
disorganized? Actually,
organization is an essential part of creativity. While you might need to get a bit messy when
trying out a new
idea, you need to organize your ideas so others will understand and follow through with
your vision.
Communication
People will only appreciate your creative idea or solution if you communicate it e ectively.
You need to have
strong written and oral communication skills.
You also need to be able to understand a situation fully before thinking creatively about it.
That means you
also need to be a good listener. You may come up with a unique solution by asking the right
questions and
listening to the answers.
Bene ts of Creative Thinking
Employers want creative thinkers because it bene ts their bottom line. Companies that
foster creativity may
see more revenue growth.3 Positioning yourself as a creative thinker can make you a more
appealing job
candidate or leader within your current organization.
When you're applying for a job, think about how your creative nature has helped you in the
past and how it
might be an asset in the job you're seeking. In your resume and cover letter, consider
including keywords that

demonstrate your creativity.
In your cover letter, include one or two speci c examples of times your creative
thinking added value to your
employer. Perhaps you came up with a creative way to save your

. department money, or maybe you developed
a new ling system that increased e ciency.
Come to your interview prepared with examples of how you've

. emonstrated your creativity. This is especially
important if the job description lists creativity or creative

. thinking as a requirement.
If you're looking for creative opportunities as a means of

. personal ful llment, you can nd satisfaction in
surprising places. Any job that allows you to put your

. own spin on your work will end up being and feeling
creative.

Theories
of creativity (particularly investiga-
tion of why some people are more creative than
others) have focused on a variety of aspects. The dominant
factors are usually identi ed as "the four Ps" — process, product,
person, and place (according to Mel Rhodes). A focus on process is shown in
cognitive approaches that try to describe thought mechanisms and techniques for
creative thinking. Theories invoking divergent rather than convergent thinking (such as
Guilford), or those describing the staging of the creative process (such as Wallas) are primari-
ly theories of creative process. A focus on creative product usually appears in attempts to
measure creativity (psychometrics, see below) and in creative ideas framed as successful
memes.The psychometric approach to creativity reveals that it also involves the ability to produce
more. A focus on the nature of the creative person considers more general intellectual habits, such as
openness, levels of ideation, autonomy, expertise, exploratory behavior, and so on. A focus on place
considers the circumstances in which creativity ourishes, such as degrees of autonomy, access to
resources, and the nature of gatekeepers. Creative lifestyles are characterized by nonconforming attitudes
and behaviors as well as exibility.
Honing theory, developed principally by psychologist Liane Gabora, posits that creativity arises due to
the self-organizing, self-mending nature of a worldview. The creative process is a way in which the
individual hones (and re-hones) an integrated worldview. Honing theory places emphasis not only on
the externally visible creative outcome but also the internal cognitive restructuring and repair of the
worldview brought about by the creative process. When faced with a creatively demanding task,
there is an interaction between the conception of the task and the worldview. The conception
of the task changes through interaction with the worldview, and the worldview changes
through interaction with the task. This interaction is reiterated until the task is
complete, at which point not only is the task conceived of di erently, but the
worldview is subtly or drastically transformed as it follows the natural tendency
of a worldview to attempt to resolve dissonance and seek internal consis-
tency amongst its components, whether they be ideas, attitudes, or bits
of knowledge.
A central feature of honing theory is the notion of a potentiali-
ty state.[48] Honing theory posits that creative thought
proceeds not by searching through and randomly
‘mutating’ prede ned possibilities, but by drawing
upon associations that exist due to overlap in the
distributed neural cell assemblies that participate
in the encoding of experiences in memory.
Midway through the creative process one may
have made associations between the current
task and previous experiences, but not yet
disambiguated which aspects of those previous
experiences are relevant to the current task. Thus
the creative idea may feel ‘half-baked’. It is at that
point that it can be said to be in a potentiality
state, because how it will actualize depends

on the di erent internally or
externally generat-
ed

Helping you look
at problems and
situation from a
fresh perspective

Lin and Vartanian developed a framework that utility-maximization problem that requires individuals
provides an integrative neurobiological descrip- to determine the optimal way to exploit and explore
tion of creative cognition. This interdisciplinary ideas (multi-armed bandit problem). This utility
framework integrates theoretical principles and maximization process is thought to be mediated by the
empirical results from neuroeconomics, reinforce- locus coeruleus system and this creativity framework
ment learning, cognitive neuroscience, and neuro- describes how tonic and phasic locus coerulues activity
transmission research on the locus coeruleus work in conjunction to facilitate the exploiting and
system. It describes how decision-making exploring of creative ideas. This framework not only
processes studied by neuroeconomists as well as explains previous empirical results but also makes
activity in the locus coeruleus system underlie novel and falsifiable predictions at different levels of
creative cognition and the large-scale brain analysis (ranging from neurobiological to cognitive and
network dynamics associated with creativity. It
personality differences).
suggests that creativity is an optimization and

CREATIVE
THINKING

Theories of creativity (particularly investigation of why some the self-organizing, self-mending nature of a worldview. The
people are more creative than others) have focused on a variety of creative process is a way in which the individual hones (and
aspects. The dominant factors are usually identified as "the four Ps" re-hones) an integrated worldview. Honing theory places emphasis
— process, product, person, and place (according to Mel Rhodes).[11] not only on the externally visible creative outcome but also the
A focus on process is shown in cognitive approaches that try to internal cognitive restructuring and repair of the worldview
describe thought mechanisms and techniques for creative thinking. brought about by the creative process. When faced with a creatively
Theories invoking divergent rather than convergent thinking (such demanding task, there is an interaction between the conception of
as Guilford), or those describing the staging of the creative process the task and the worldview. The conception of the task changes
(such as Wallas) are primarily theories of creative process. A focus through interaction with the worldview, and the worldview changes
on creative product usually appears in attempts to measure through interaction with the task. This interaction is reiterated until
creativity (psychometrics, see below) and in creative ideas framed the task is complete, at which point not only is the task conceived
as successful memes.[12] The psychometric approach to creativity of differently, but the worldview is subtly or drastically transformed
reveals that it also involves the ability to produce more.[13] A focus as it follows the natural tendency of a worldview to attempt to
on the nature of the creative person considers more general resolve dissonance and seek internal consistency amongst its
intellectual habits, such as openness, levels of ideation, autonomy, components, whether they be ideas, attitudes, or bits of knowledge.
expertise, exploratory behavior, and so on. A focus on place
considers the circumstances in which creativity flourishes, such as A central feature of honing theory is the notion of a potentiality state.[48] Honing theory posits that
degrees of autonomy, access to resources, and the nature of creative thought proceeds not by searching through and randomly ‘mutating’ predefined possibilities,
gatekeepers. Creative lifestyles are characterized by nonconform- but by drawing upon associations that exist due to overlap in the distributed neural cell assemblies
that participate in the encoding of experiences in memory. Midway through the creative process one
ing attitudes and behaviors as well as flexibility. may have made associations between the current task and previous experiences, but not yet
disambiguated which aspects of those previous experiences are relevant to the current task. Thus the
Honing theory, developed principally by psychologist Liane Gabora, creative idea may feel ‘half-baked’. It is at that point that it can be said to be in a potentiality state,
posits that creativity arises due to because how it will actualize depends on the different internally or externally generated contexts it

interacts with.

HELPING YOU LOOK
AT PROBLEMS
AND SITUATION
FROM A FRESH
PERSPECTIVE

Honing theory is held to explain certain phenomena not dealt with utility-maximization problem that requires individuals to
by other theories of creativity, for example, how different works by determine the optimal way to exploit and explore ideas (
the same creator are observed in studies to exhibit a recognizable
style or 'voice' even though in different creative outlets. This is not multi-armed bandit problem). This utility maximization
predicted by theories of creativity that emphasize chance process- process is thought to be mediated by the locus coeruleus system and
es or the accumulation of expertise, but it is predicted by honing this creativity framework describes how tonic and phasic locus coerulues activity work in
theory, according to which personal style reflects the creator's conjunction to facilitate the exploiting and exploring of creative ideas. This framework not
uniquely structured worldview. Another example is in the environ- only explains previous empirical results but also makes novel and falsifiable predictions at
mental stimulus for creativity. Creativity is commonly considered to different levels of analysis (ranging from neurobiological to cognitive and personality
be fostered by a supportive, nurturing, trustworthy environment
conducive to self-actualization. However, research shows that differences).
creativity is also associated with childhood adversity, which would

stimulate honing.

Lin and Vartanian developed a framework that provides
an integrative neurobiological description of creative
cognition. This interdisciplinary framework integrates
theoretical principles and empirical results from neuro-
economics, reinforcement learning, cognitive neurosci-
ence, and neurotransmission research on the locus
coeruleus system. It describes how decision-making
processes studied by neuroeconomists as well as activi-
ty in the locus coeruleus system underlie creative cogni-
tion and the large-scale brain network dynamics associ-
ated with creativity. It suggests that creativity is an

optimization and