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
People mistakenly think creativity is only needed in narrowly defined “creative fields” such as the arts, fashion, and design.
Most adults equate creativity with artistic pursuits and consider painting, playing music, dancing, or designing as key creative behaviors.
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.
Adults tend to think that creativity is something only a lucky few are born with—either you have it or you don’t.
Facts
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.
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
In reality, we are all creative in our own way.
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 can reawaken creative mindsets by embracing curiosity and intentionally stretching their ways of thinking and seeing the world.
Myths
People mistakenly think creativity is only needed in narrowly defined “creative fields” such as the arts, fashion, and design.
Most adults equate creativity with artistic pursuits and consider painting, playing music, dancing, or designing as key creative behaviors.
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.
Adults tend to think that creativity is something only a lucky few are born with—either you have it or you don’t.
Facts
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.
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
In reality, we are all creative in our own way.
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 can reawaken creative mindsets by embracing curiosity and intentionally stretching their ways of thinking and seeing the world.