Creativity

Why use creativity to improve performance?

You may wonder how the use of creative processes and art can result in more effective team work, better team cohesion, idea development, more effective problem solving and improved performance in the workplace.

According to the IBM 2010 Global CEO Study, which surveyed 1,500 Chief Executive Officers from 60 countries and 33 industries worldwide, CEOs believe that, “more than rigor, management discipline, integrity or even vision — successfully navigating an increasing complex world will require creativity.”

”Creative leadership involves innovation, dropping outdated approaches and taking balanced risks. this requires open-mindedness and inventiveness.”

What is creativity?

According to Wikipedia “Creativity is the ability to generate innovative ideas and manifest them from thought into reality. The process involves original thinking and then producing”.

How can we tap into this creative potential through using art based processes?

Due to the advances in neuroscience we now know a lot more about the brain and what we can actively do to generate desired outcomes.

Art based creative processes make use of both sides of the brain and therefore provide a powerful tool to unlock creative thinking. Using both the left and right hemisphere of the brain means combining logic and knowledge with intuition and creativity. In order to access right brain creativity the brain needs to be stimulated in a particular way. This can be achieved through the use of art.

Fresh approaches, unexpected ideas, new perspectives on problems can be accessed through tapping into the right brain potential.

Art also activates the senses and evokes an emotional response and therefore the brain will release neurotransmitters which in turn allows for new neural circuits to form quicker. Neurotransmitters can also give you an energy boost. This is why being creative makes you feel good.

Not only are these creative processes effective, they are also enjoyable to use. participants feel energized, inspired and stimulated.

Innovation and creativity have come to be seen as a key for organisiations in succeeding in an ever changing environment.