Building a Creative Mindset

I’ve been struggling with what it means to be truly creative. The word is misused a lot, it seems. The benefits of a creative mindset seem rather obvious; however, it’s not as intuitive as it may appear. Associated moreso with artists, musicians, actors, writers, designers, and architects creativity is not the first trait we think of in scientists. The very notion of science removes creativity in favor of meticulous process and procedures—the well described scientific method.

"The very notion of science removes creativity in favor of meticulous process and procedures—the well described scientific method"

Let me share a fairly typical phenotype of the surgeon scientist. Based on my observations over the last decade, our system encourages (if not celebrates) surgeon scientists as individuals who are highly driven, often admittedly working very long hours—some actually boast having “two jobs”--working long days in patient care and sacrificing evenings and weekends in pursuit of their research. Often, this individual has spent additional time in graduate studies as well as clinical specialty fellowship training. When asked about goals, this individual is steadfastly clear in what he, or she, needs to do –be an exceptional surgeon, publish high impact papers (lots of them), obtain large sums of money to fund their research, and present their research findings at meetings around the world. Daily rituals vary, but often, those who self report as “highly motivated and organized” and describe themselves as having excellent time management skills. These phenotypes are the ones we see with their laptops open between surgical cases—“finishing up a paper” or “reviewing some edits” or “working on their next grant’ or “on a conference call” —and the ones who are branded as “always busy doing things”, “research machines”, and my favorite analogy--“beasts”. Surgeon scientists are, by default, assumed to be “out of the box” thinkers.

“We have it all wrong—or alteast 90% wrong”

In my opinion, those who embrace the stereotype will realize, in time, it’s far from an optimal strategy for success. Always doing things is not the same as getting things done. And the very idea of ‘always working’ makes it near impossible to develop a creative mindset—and I would argue—significantly lessens our ability to identify innovative solutions to challenging problems. .

"Doing things is not the same as getting things done"

What does a creative scientist look like? In asking—and more importantly observing-- colleagues and students, I’ve become keenly aware that many of us, myself included, have distorted interpretations of what it means to be creative. Even more problematic is the realization that there doesn’t seem to be a clear road map for creative thinking—that is, how can we achieve creativity in our life and work? My own focus is the surgeon-scientist, but rest assure I’m certain this applies to all vocations and all careers from the arts to the sciences.

"Scientists should, in some capacity, embrace the arts"

Okay, I assert that scientists should, in some capacity, embrace the arts. For it is in the arts we may find our creative potential. I've read that Einstein's "Aha moment!" on his theory of relativity came while he was playing the violin. Certainly, a random anecdote is hardly evidence for pushing our creative potential. That said, our field is unlikely to make the strides towards serious advancements without it. I acknowledge change begins from within. So, going forward, I’ve pledged to make a significant effort to work on creativity. Reflecting on my own career mistakes and missteps, I’ve paused and taken considerable time to dive into the evidence and research behind ‘creativity’.

Whenever possible, I searched for quantitative studies, and ideally meta-analytic summaries of existing research on creativity. Further, resources included books on the topic, expert opinion and excerpts from highly successful creative scientists (ie Nobel Laureates) were used to provide context when applicable. There is unsurprisingly considerable research to inform creative behavior—and the good news, I’ve learned, is that we can all make meaningful strides towards unleashing greater creative potential. Key tenets to building a creative mindset can be remembered as POEM: Passion, Openness to Experience, and Mindwandering (and related Mindfulness) 

“The reality of creative work is that most artists will never sell their pieces, most actors and musicians will never make it big., most writers will never pen bestsellers, most startups fail and most scientists will never make the earth shattering discoveries” Scott Kaufman and Carolyn Gregoire

The road to creativity begins with passion. Do you truly love your job? It’s easy to say “yes” at first gut reaction; however, a deeper contemplation renders the majority of us unsatisfied with the choices we’ve made in our lives—particularly our career choices. For instance, I’ve seen lots of young surgeons in love with the idea of research, but not in love with research. There is big distinction between the two—the former is likely inconsistent with a fulfilled career.

"8 out of 10 people are generally unsatisfied with their job"

Since 2000, Gallup has polled millions of employees from nearly 200 countries around the world about their level of job satisfaction. In 2017, 85% of the 1 billion full time workers surveyed were unhappy with their job. You are not surprised, I bet. I’m fairly certain I’m surrounded on a daily basis by individuals wishing they could follow their true passion rather than settle for the “comfort their current position”. It seems more than often that a “good life is the biggest deterrent to risking more for a great life”.

"A good life is the biggest deterrent to risking more for a great life”

Unhappy people at work are unlikely to be creative and thus unlikely to achieve their full potential. An archetypal example of a passion is represented by Vera Rubin, an astronomer, who says in an interview with Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi, “it’s fun, real fun…learning for its own sake is rewarding”. Similarly, elite crack climbers, Will Stanhoppe and Matt Segal, spent over 4 years working on first ascent rock climb in the Bugaboos despite multiple failures stating they loved “climbing for the sake of climbing”. Evidence suggests that in addition to hard work talented individuals share an intense love of their activity. They are driven less towards external rewards and praise and more by joy in doing their work. (Winner and Drake, 2013)

  "Openness to experience is the strongest personality trait predictor of creative achievement"

Get out there and experience as much as you can, whenever the opportunities arise. Be open to new experiences, new people, and new opportunities. A meta-analysis by Silvia, Kaufman, and Pretz suggests openness to experience is the strongest and more consistent personality trait that predicts creative achievement. Evidence suggests highly creative scientists tend to engage in a large number of loosely related activities, forming a broad “network of enterprises” including creative hobbies and interests outside the sciences (Kaufman and Gregoire). For instance, Galileo’s scientific activity was hugely influenced by his exploration of the humanities (arts and music, literature) (Root-Bernstein). Thrash and Elliot report that inspired people tend to enjoy more well being in life, greater levels of gratitude, positivity, life satisfaction, vitality, and self actualization. 

"You are more likely to have fresh ideas in the shower than at work"

Daydreaming is actually a good thing! Mind-wandering makes up a significant chunk of our awake hours (Singer, 1974). Daydreaming can facilitate a creative incubation or what T. S Elliot called “idea incubation”. The concept of idea incubation was exploited to considerable commercial success for Hansgrohe, the largest supplier of showerheads worldwide. The funded a large study in 2014 that found 3 of 4 of survey respondents experienced new ideas in the shower. In fact, people are more likely to have fresh ideas in the shower than at work. Kauffman believes most “Aha! Moments” come when you give your intensely focused mind a break and let your thoughts wander free uninhibited by critical thought! So, the next time you see someone staring at their computer screen, urge them to get up and out for awhile. You may be helping them more than they realize!

Here’s the point. Creative insights are unlikely going to happen by staring at the computer screen working on a research paper, or a grant, or complex problem. Greek philosophers routinely walked along the courtyards while discussing ideas. Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman was notorious for walking meetings. Steve Jobs routinely held walking meetings with Apple executives. The simple act of getting out of the office works. I've personally made it a habit to hold 'active' meetings outside the office (#virtualoffice) and it's paid tremendous dividends on ideas and productivity.

"A selfie may be just what you need "

In the end, Kaufmann suggests open minded, imaginative, intellectually curious, energetic, outgoing, persistent and intrinsically motivated individuals tend to more often drift off in daydreams take photographs for fun, talk passionately about personal goal, write thoughtful cards/letters to friends and family, keep a journal and start their own businesses. They also report greater sense of well being and personal growth than those who are less engaged in these everyday creative behaviours.

A few resources worth reading if you can spare the time

Creativity: The Psychology of Discovery and Invention. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Wired to Create. Scott Kaufman and Carolyn Gregoire 

Silvia P, Kaufman JC Pretz JE (2009): A meta-analysis of personality in scientific and artistic creativity. Personality and Social Psychology Review. 2: 290-309.

Root-Bernstein R, Bernstein M, Garnier H (1995): correlational impact between avocations, scientific style, work habits and professional impact of scientists. Creativity Research Journal 8:115-137

https://news.gallup.com/opinion/chairman/212045/world-broken-workplace.aspx?g_source=position1&g_medium=related&g_campaign=tiles