You’re a technical support professional who wants to stand out. How can you develop your creativity?

1 Why creativity matters

Creativity is not only useful for artistic or cultural pursuits. It's also essential for any profession that involves problem-solving, communication, or learning. As a technical support professional, you face complex and diverse challenges every day. You have to deal with different types of customers, devices, software, and issues. You have to adapt to changing technologies and expectations. You have to find ways to explain technical concepts in simple and clear terms. Creativity can help you do all these things better and faster. It can also help you enjoy your work more and avoid burnout.

2 How to cultivate curiosity

Cultivating creativity requires curiosity, the desire to learn new things, explore new possibilities, and ask questions. To do this, you can read widely and diversely, from technical books to topics that interest you. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even if they seem silly or obvious. This can help you clarify your understanding and uncover hidden assumptions. Experimenting and playing is also important, as it can help you test your hypotheses and learn from mistakes. Tools like brainstorming, mind mapping, or sketching can also be used to generate and organize ideas.

3 How to overcome blocks

Dealing with blocks can be a challenge for technical support professionals. Blocks are mental or emotional barriers that can prevent you from being creative, and can make you feel stuck, frustrated, or unmotivated. To overcome blocks, try taking a break to relax, refresh, or recharge your mind. You could also change your perspective by asking questions or seeking inspiration from people, places, or things that stimulate you. Finally, don't forget to challenge your assumptions and find new angles to look at the problem.

4 How to collaborate effectively

Creativity is not only an individual skill, but also a social one. Collaborating with others, particularly those with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, can help you sharpen your creativity. As a technical support professional, you may need to collaborate with customers, colleagues, or managers. To do this effectively, you should communicate clearly and respectfully with your collaborators, using simple and precise language. Establish goals and roles for the collaboration, as well as the scope, timeline, and deliverables. Make sure to recognize and value the contributions of each collaborator, appreciate the diversity of skills and knowledge they bring to the table, and be open to different ideas and approaches. By following these tips you can ensure successful collaboration.

5 How to measure and improve your creativity

Creativity is not fixed, but rather a dynamic and evolving skill that can be measured and improved. Through tracking growth, identifying areas of improvement, and setting goals, you can measure and improve your creativity. Tests such as the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking, the Remote Associates Test, or the Alternative Uses Test can assess different aspects of your creativity. Additionally, keeping a portfolio of creative work, such as solutions, projects, or products can showcase your creativity and document progress. Seeking feedback from customers, colleagues, managers, mentors, or yourself through self-assessment and self-reflection is also a valuable tool for improving creativity.