About Creativity

Creativity is a Valued Life Skill

Creativity is a multi-dimensional phenomenon that impacts every aspect of our lives, including the ways we work, parent, and interact with colleagues, friends, and family members. Multiple research studies show that creativity is a highly valued life skill:

96%

of adults believe that
creativity is important
to society.

92%

of parents believe
creativity has life-long
benefits for their kids.

87%

of adults believe
creative thinking is critical
to problem solving and
career success.

78%

of employees say
creativity is important
to their current career.

Myths versus Facts

Too often creativity has been shrouded in myths and misunderstanding. The following is a summary of a few of the many myths that have kept people from fully embracing their own creative style and building their creative confidence.

Myths

Facts

  • People mistakenly think creativity is only needed in narrowly defined “creative fields” such as the arts, fashion, and design.

  • Creativity is a core workplace skill. Creative thinking, including problem solving and learning from mistakes, are among the most sought-after skills in any career.

  • Most adults equate creativity with artistic pursuits and consider painting, playing music, dancing, or designing as key creative behaviors.

  • Creative behaviors are not limited to the arts. In fact, the most important creative behaviors are:
    • Coming up with unique ideas and new ways of doing things
    • Keeping an open mind
    • Considering many possibilities
    • Being curious
    • Seeking out new experiences

  • While there is widespread recognition of childhood creativity, a prevailing false notion is that most people naturally grow out of creativity as they age, and that most people’s creativity is lost sometime during childhood.

  • Creativity can be taught and nurtured at any age by listening to others’ ideas, trying new approaches, and learning from mistakes.

  • Nurturing creativity is an important way to empower people and help everyone reach their full potential.

  • Adults tend to think that creativity is something only a lucky few are born with—either you have it or you don’t.

  • In reality, we are all creative in our own way.

  • Adults can reawaken creative mindsets by embracing curiosity and intentionally stretching their ways of thinking and seeing the world.