Creativity is a mental process whereby two or more bits of information come together and create a new and useful piece of information, an idea.
But where does these other pieces of information come from and what happens if we diversify the places from which they come?
Diverse Thinking Process
When presented with a challenge or problem that we need to solve, the mind tends to pull ‘bits of information’ that are associated with the problem at hand.
For example, if we are posed with the challenge of making a presentation to a group of people or a client, immediately the mind will present solutions such as PowerPoint presentations, cue cards, standing up and speaking etc.; All the bits of information that the mind related to the problem at hand.
But what does it mean to pull bits of information from different sections of the mind and apply it to the problem at hand?
It means that the solutions that are found are far more creative and interesting.
For instance, when faced with the problem of making a presentation we could realise that we need to relay information to the group and instead of pulling information from the section of our mind that is associated with presentations, why not pull information from the section of our mind that is associated with storytelling, as that what we are doing in a presentation; telling a story.
Then we explore what makes an interesting story – a hero, a villain, suspense, a climax. The solution of the presentation problem now because a dramatic role play which is far more interesting, engaging and exciting than the run of the mill PowerPoint.
Creativity is diversifying your thinking process.
Diverse Cultural Experience
What do Picasso, Handel, Hemingway, Yeats and Stravinsky have in common, other than being some of the most outstandingly creative individuals of all time?
Every one of these artists, created their best works when living away from home. They were at their optimal creative peak when immersed in a culture and a lifestyle that was different from what their own.
Research has shown that multicultural experiences lead to enhanced creativity.
The diversity that a bi-cultural individual is exposed to increases their ability to integrate different points of view and different perspectives into their creative process and their decision making.
Diverse Skills and Knowledge
The more subjects and areas of discipline an individual is exposed to, the more that particular individual become enlightened and educated and, in turn, develops their process of creativity.
By gaining access to innovators in fields of science, math, arts, business etc, the learner is empowered with skills from these different disciplines and a greater understanding of the world in general.
Exposing innovators to these new areas of knowledge to enhance creativity is the whole premise behind CIT’s Innovation Week.
Innovation Week is a week that runs each year in Cork’s Institute of Technology where a series of talks, seminars and workshops in all areas of study are accessible to students, staff and public, all on the topic of innovation.
Conclusion
The more we know and the more we are exposed to enhance our creativity in ways that we cannot even imagine.
Broadening our minds, changing our perspective and deepening our knowledge opens pathways in the mind that lead to optimum innovation and creativity.
