Creativity is a valuable skill for managers, as it helps them generate new ideas, solve problems, and adapt to changing situations. However, not everyone has the same creative abilities or preferences. To make the most of your creative potential, you need to identify your strengths and weaknesses and leverage them accordingly. Here are some tips on how to do that.
One way to understand your creative strengths and weaknesses is to take a self-assessment test that measures your creative style. For example, the Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory (KAI) evaluates how you prefer to approach problems, whether you are more adaptive or innovative. Adaptive thinkers tend to be more practical, structured, and efficient, while innovative thinkers tend to be more original, radical, and challenging. Knowing your style can help you recognize your advantages and limitations, as well as how to collaborate with others who have different styles.
“ Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble." Salagadoola mechicka boola bibbidi-bobbidi-boo Put 'em together and what have you got Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo Salagadoola mechicka boola bibbidi-bobbidi-boo It'll do magic believe it or not Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo
I’m a big advocate of human typology assessments (e.g Enneagram etc) to ascertain / baseline a profile of an individual or team of people. This usually unearths a multitude of information and is a powerful tool for understanding their motivations and behaviours, as well as the motivations and behaviours of others, which can lead to more harmonious relationships, better communication, and more effective problem-solving and creativity.
Different ways to get started are: 1. Review portfolio - look for recurring themes, techniques and anesthetics choices. 2. Identify patterns - tendencies in the work of individual's or group's. 3. Evaluate originality- look for ways in which they bring fresh perspectives, unconventional ideas, or unique interpretations. 4. Review process - gain an understanding of a person's creative process. 5. Reflect on intentions- objectives behind their choices. I consider all these as important aspects.
Another way to identify your creative strengths and weaknesses is to seek feedback from others who know you well, such as your colleagues, supervisors, or mentors. They can provide you with a different perspective on your creative performance, skills, and behaviors, as well as point out areas for improvement. You can ask them specific questions, such as how they perceive your creativity, what they appreciate or criticize about your creative work, and what suggestions they have for you to enhance your creativity.
Different approaches can be like: 1. Find an appropriate time to ask - choose right moment to request feedback from others 2. Test yourself - evaluate your skills, abilities, and personality characteristics by seeking opportunities for scrutiny. 3. Reflective best self exercise - engaging in a reflective self exercise by asking people from different areas of your life for their opinions on your strengths and weaknesses. More can be added in the above mentioned list.
A third way to identify your creative strengths and weaknesses is to reflect on your own creative experiences, both successful and unsuccessful. You can review your past projects, tasks, or challenges that required creativity, and analyze what worked and what didn't, what you enjoyed and what you struggled with, and what you learned and what you can improve. You can also keep a journal or a portfolio of your creative work, and track your progress, achievements, and challenges over time.
A fourth way to identify your creative strengths and weaknesses is to experiment with different methods and tools that can stimulate your creativity. For example, you can try brainstorming, mind mapping, sketching, prototyping, or using online platforms or apps that offer creative exercises or prompts. You can also expose yourself to different sources of inspiration, such as books, podcasts, videos, or articles that relate to your field or interest. By trying new things, you can discover what sparks your creativity, what suits your style, and what challenges you to grow.
A fifth way to identify your creative strengths and weaknesses is to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for your creative development, and track your progress and results. For example, you can set a goal to generate a certain number of ideas for a project, complete a creative course or certification, or submit your work to a contest or publication. By setting goals and measuring your progress, you can evaluate your creative performance, identify gaps and opportunities, and celebrate your achievements.
Identifying creative strengths and weaknesses involves self-reflection, feedback from peers, and experimentation. Reflect on past successes and areas where you excel creatively, noting patterns and preferences. Seek input from others to gain diverse perspectives on your strengths and areas for improvement. Experiment with different creative processes, techniques, and mediums to uncover what resonates most and where you may encounter challenges. By embracing self-awareness and actively seeking feedback, you can better understand your creative strengths and weaknesses, enabling you to leverage them effectively in your endeavors.
To recognize your creative strengths and weaknesses, reflect on instances where you demonstrated strong creativity or encountered challenges. Gather feedback from peers or mentors regarding your creative skills and areas needing improvement. Participate in activities that push your creative boundaries to gain insight into your strengths and areas for growth. By combining self-assessment, feedback, and hands-on experience, you can better understand your creative capabilities. #ahmedalaali11
Identifying your creative strengths is like finding the right key out of multiple keys for your lock. Of course, you will have to try all the keys you have and you will never know which one would instantly fit in. Similarly, don't try to force yourself to find your strength, it's a matter of process. You might find it very soon or maybe after a series of experiments. What matters is the pathway you walked through to reach your strength and then worshipping it.