What is “Creativity”?

What are you connecting, to make creativity?

Welcome to Part 2 in this series on brainstorming, encouraging creativity, and useful tips!

What is Creative Thinking?

The Business Dictionary defines creativity as “A mental characteristic that allows a person to think outside of the box, which results in innovative or different approaches to a task.”

Hmm, that’s not very helpful, is it?!

At The Potential Center™ we use this definition:

“Creative thinking is using specific techniques to solve problems.”

Creativity is a skill that anyone can learn to improve. As long as you’re committed to using the techniques, and you’re persistent in your use of them, your practice will definitely pay off.

Practice generating ideas for small projects before trying to solve big problems. Planting a window box is easier than landscaping an entire yard!
— Tip from Ellia Harris
image of a half-man/half-horse to symbolize myths around creativity from a workplace innovation consultant in Seattle, WA

Let’s bust a few myths around creativity

 Not everyone can be creative.

FALSE! Creativity has been a defining characteristic of humankind since the beginning of time. We all have different degrees and styles of creativity and problem-solving.

Most people rarely use creativity.

FALSE! Creativity isn’t just for artists, inventors, and scientists. You use creativity every day, for example when cooking, how you dress, and choosing what to say.

The older we are, the less able we are to learn how to think creatively.

FALSE! Creativity doesn’t dry up as we age. In fact, increased experience and wisdom can improve the quality of our ideas.

"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going." Quote from Jim Rohn, shared by a workplace innovation consultant in Seattle, WA

Next time: The Brain on Creative Thinking

Do you have your copy of “The Brainstorming Playbook”? If not, you can get it here. Enjoy! 

picture of The Brainstorming Playbook, created by a workplace innovation consultant in Seattle, WA

Do you have your copy?

If you want to systematically come up with WOW! ideas, get our FREE ebook “The Brainstorming Playbook”.


I believe that, with the right support anyone can learn creative ways to solve problems. If you’d like to see what tapping into creative potential could look like at your place of work, contact me at Ellia@ThePotentialCenter.com to arrange a call.

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Which is Best: Persuading or Influencing?

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From the GreenBiz Notebook (Pt 3 of 3) - Influencing