Creativity Management ? Overcoming Blocks

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.

There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be defined as consisting of a number of ideas, a number of diverse ideas and a number of novel ideas.

There are distinct processes that enhance problem identification and idea generation and, similarly, distinct processes that enhance idea selection, development and commercialisation. Whilst there is no sure fire route to commercial success, these processes improve the probability that good ideas will be generated and selected and that investment in developing and commercialising those ideas will not be wasted.

Overcoming Blocks

There are essentially two groups of blocks, the first being evaluation apprehension or evaluation anxiety and the second being task hindrance.

a) Evaluation Anxiety blocks include: fear of being unoriginal, fear of being perceived unintelligent, negatively assessing own ideas, risk aversion, the illusion of difficulty etc.

b) Task hindrance blocks include: lack of finance, no access to decision makers, lack of appropriate resources, no movement of ideas etc.

As blocks can be grouped into two, so resolutions can be grouped into two.

a) Psychological and Cultural resolutions. These include engendering a culture of psychological safety and freedom, individuals becoming aware of their own evaluation apprehension and consciously countering, developing confidence through improving their task competency and success rates etc.

b) Structural resolutions. Organisations creating management structures that allow direct access to decision makers, tangible movement of ideas, access to knowledge bases, reduced competition for resources etc.

These and other topics are covered in depth in the MBA dissertation on Managing Creativity & Innovation, which can be purchased (along with a Creativity and Innovation DIY Audit, Good Idea Generator Software and Power Point Presentation) from http://www.managing-creativity.com/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop MBA, is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached on http://www.managing-creativity.com/

Art Guild offers beauty and creativity
Glenwood Springs Post Independent, CO - 3 hours ago
In knowing them and their work, I have found a wonderful new source of inspiration and creative energy," said art guild member Annie Bell. ...

Art therapists use creativity to help people express suppressed ...
Irish Times, Ireland - 21 hours ago
Chairwoman of the Irish Association of Creative Art Therapists (IACAT), Suzie Cahn explains that art therapy is used to help people express their feelings ...

Creativity name of game in baby choices
Ipswich Queensland Times, Australia - 10 hours ago
By Felicity Caldwell IPSWICH parents have proved themselves to be just as creative with baby names as Hollywood parents Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, ...

Pakenham Cardinia Leader
Thriving on creativity in Bunyip
Pakenham Cardinia Leader, Australia - 6 hours ago
A BUNYIP artist has been selected to exhibit in the Cancer Council Victoria Arts Awards 2008. Simon Robbins' moving Defragmentation in Progress, ...

DDB Remedy Wins Best of Show at IPA Best of Health Awards
FOXBusiness - 16 hours ago
The IPA Best of Health Awards celebrates the best creativity in healthcare advertising, a sector which encompasses the promotion of brands to both ...

Local youth nourish creativity during computer camp
The Northern Light, Canada - Jul 7, 2008
She said the camp is a chance for youth to show their creativity. "Children are naturally creative and they're naturally curious, which makes them very good ...

When British Advertising Led The World
OUPblog, New York - 1 hour ago
It did so creatively – but it did so in other ways too, which underpinned the creativity, making it more effective and successful. The emergence of Britain ...

Blast has the Power for three days of creativity
Liverpool Daily Post, UK - Jul 7, 2008
Co-ordinator Eddie Fitzpatrick added: “Blast’s aim is simple: to encourage young people to express themselves through creativity. ...

Daily Star - Lebanon
Lebanese showcase their creativity at Beirut handicraft exhibition
Daily Star - Lebanon, Lebanon - Jul 6, 2008
"The idea really started around 20 years ago in [the mountainous town of] Faqra, to promote the creative handicrafts of the village of Beit Chabeb," said ...

Celebration of creativity
Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica - Jul 5, 2008
Dancing duo André Robinson (right) and Noelle Kerr perform at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts as part of KOTE celebrations. ...

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

Art, Artists and Vocation