How do you recognize creative work?

1 The definition of creativity

The first step to recognize creative work is to have a clear and shared definition of what creativity means. Creativity is the ability to produce something new and valuable, either as a product, a process, a solution, or an expression. Creativity involves both divergent thinking (generating many different ideas) and convergent thinking (selecting and refining the best ideas). Creativity is not a fixed trait that some people have and others don't, but a skill that can be developed and improved with practice and feedback.

2 The dimensions of creativity

The second step to recognize creative work is to understand the different dimensions or aspects of creativity that can be evaluated. Depending on the context and purpose of the creative work, you may want to consider some or all of these aspects: novelty, relevance, quality, complexity, and aesthetics. Novelty is an important factor to consider, as it evaluates how original and unique the work is. Relevance measures how appropriate and useful the work is for the intended audience or problem. Quality looks at how well-crafted and polished the work is. Complexity examines how sophisticated and intricate the work is. Finally, aesthetics assesses how appealing and pleasing the work is.

3 The methods of recognition

The third step to recognize creative work is to choose the appropriate methods or tools to measure and evaluate it. Self-assessment is when the creator evaluates their own work based on their goals, standards, and feedback. Peer-assessment involves the creator's peers or colleagues evaluating the work based on agreed criteria and rubrics. Expert-assessment is when the creator's work is evaluated by an external or authoritative source, such as a mentor, a judge, or a customer. Lastly, portfolio-assessment is when the creator's work is evaluated as part of a collection of works that demonstrate their growth, progress, and achievements over time.

5 The benefits of recognition

The fifth step to recognize creative work is to acknowledge and appreciate the benefits of recognition for the creator and the organization. Recognition is a powerful motivator and reward for creativity; it boosts self-esteem and confidence, encourages learning and growth, and fosters collaboration and innovation. By validating the creator's efforts, skills, and achievements, recognition makes them feel proud and valued, stimulates their curiosity, interest, and desire to learn more, and fosters a culture of trust, respect, and support where people are willing to share their ideas, feedback, and resources.

6 The challenges of recognition

The sixth step to recognize creative work is to be aware of and overcome the potential challenges or barriers that may hinder or prevent recognition. Subjectivity, complexity, context, and resistance are the common challenges; creativity is often subjective and influenced by personal preferences, tastes, and biases, complex and multidimensional, context-dependent and influenced by the environment, the audience, the problem, and the resources, and disruptive and challenging. This may lead to disagreements or conflicts over the evaluation of creative work, make it difficult to measure or compare different types of creative work or outcomes, affect the relevance or value of creative work, and trigger resistance or rejection from the status quo, the norms, or the expectations.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?