Digging into the Strength of Creativity

Creativity is one of the five character strengths that comprise the Virtue of Wisdom.

Wisdom describes strengths that help you gather and use knowledge. 

What is creativity?

Creativity is thinking of new ways to do things. 

There are two essential components to creativity – originality and adaptiveness. A creative individual generates ideas or behaviours that are novel or unusual and these make a positive contribution to the individual’s life or the lives of others in a group.

It can be big – like the great artists and scientists and poets and film makers.

It can also be small – like just deciding to try something different – a tweak on a recipe or a different route for your walk or your drive home or learning something new.

Why is creativity of value?

• Creativity helps in promoting divergent thinking, thinking about many ways to solve a problem.
• Creativity helps you to resolve practical problems, especially when you begin thinking in new ways about the causes and consequences of everyday life events.
• Creativity helps to inspire and motivate followers and can help you to become a better leader.

A couple of questions to consider

• What does creativity mean to you and how does that play out in your life?
• How do you use creativity to help solve your own life problems or those of your family, friends and colleagues?

Some things that you can do to practise creativity

• Explore a creative solution to a life difficulty or challenge that’s expressed by a family member or friend.
• Prioritise creativity at work. Set aside a few minutes each day for “creativity time” where you can reflect, think and learn.
• Share your thoughts on this post in the comments section describing how you use creativity or how you have observed the practice of creativity in others.

For more information on the strength of Creativity, go to https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths/creativity

If you are interested in exploring how the practice of Character Strengths might be of benefit to your business and culture, contact Peter Maguire on 0438 533 311 or at info@poswork.com.au.

Acknowledgement: the primary reference for this post is “The Power of Character Strengths: Appreciate And Ignite Your Positive Personality” by Ryan M. Niemiec & Robert E. McGrath (An Official Guide From The VIA Institute on Character)