CREATIVITY IN BUSINESS. HOW DO YOU RANK?

Creativity in Business... How Do You Rank?

by Thomas J. Esper


Problem-solving in today's business world in many instances comes down to using creativity. American business is finding it challenging to foster creativity in the workplace. Ironically most employees say they welcome more creativity in their job and their work. Management still struggles with developing this.

It has been estimated that most adults over the age of forty display less than two percent of the creative problem-solving ability of a child under five. Over time, individuals develop conceptual blocks and lose the ability to experiment, improvise, or take mental detours.

Paradoxically, the more experience individuals have in a job the less able they are to solve problems in a creative way. Experience in a job teaches proper ways of doing things, specialized knowledge, and rigid expectation of appropriate actions. However, solving a problem in a unique way can lead to phenomenal business success.

So, how creative are you? The following test helps you determine if you have the personality traits, attitudes, values, motivations and interests that make up creativity. It is based on several years' study of attributes possessed by men and women in a variety of fields and occupations who think and act creatively.

INSTRUCTIONSFor each statement, write in the appropriate letter:
A = Agree
B = Undecided or Don't Know
C = Disagree

Be as frank as possible. Try not to second-guess how a creative person might respond.

(Note: You may want to make and distribute copies of this first before proceeding further. To have a word version of this emailed to you contact the author at ecom2410@gmail.com).

___ 1. I always work with a great deal of certainty that I am following the correct procedure for solving a particular problem.
___ 2. It would be a waste of time for me to ask questions if I had no hope of obtaining answers.
___ 3. I concentrate harder on whatever interests me than most people.
___ 4. I feel that a logical step-by-step method is best for solving problems.
___ 5. In groups I occasionally voice opinions that seem to turn some people off.
___ 6. I spend a great deal of time thinking about what others think of me.
___ 7. It is more important for me to do what I believe to be right than to try to win the approval of others.
___ 8. People who seem uncertain about things lose my respect.
___ 9. More than other people, I need to have things interesting and exciting.
___ 10. I know how to keep my inner impulses in check.
___ 11. I am able to stick with difficult problems over extended periods of time.
___ 12. On occasion I get overly enthusiastic.
___ 13. I often get my best ideas when doing nothing in particular.
___ 14. I rely on intuitive hunches and the feeling of "rightness" or "wrongness" when moving toward the solution of a problem.
___ 15. When problem solving, I work faster when analyzing the problem and slower when synthesizing the information I have gathered.
___ 16. I sometimes get a kick out of breaking the rules and doing things I am not supposed to do.
___ 17. I like hobbies that involve collecting things.
___ 18. Daydreaming has provided the impetus for many of my more important projects.
___ 19. I like people who are objective and rational.
___ 20. If I had to choose from two occupations other than the one I now have, I would rather be a physician than an explorer.
___ 21. I can get along more easily with people if they belong to about the same social or business class as myself.
___ 22. I have a high degree of aesthetic sensitivity.
___ 23. I am driven to achieve high status and power in life.
___ 24. I like people that are most sure of their conclusions.
___ 25. Inspiration has nothing to do with the successful solution of problems.
___ 26. When I am in a argument, my greatest pleasure would be for the person who disagrees with me to become a friend, even at the price of sacrificing my point of view.
___ 27. I am much more interested in coming up with new ideas than in trying to sell them to others.
___ 28. I would enjoy spending an entire day alone, just "chewing the mental cud."
___ 29. I tend to avoid situations in which I might feel inferior.
___ 30. In evaluating information, the source is more important to me than the content.
___ 31. I resent things being uncertain and unpredictable.
___ 32. I like people that follow the rule, "business before pleasure."
___ 33. Self-respect is much more important than the respect of others.
___ 34. I feel that people who strive for perfection are unwise.
___ 35. I prefer to work with others in a team effort rather than solo.
___ 36. I like work in which I must influence others.
___ 37. Many problems that I encounter in life cannot be resolved in terms of right or wrong solutions.
___ 38. It is important for me to have a place for everything and everything in its place.
___ 39. Writers who use strange and unusual words merely want to show off.
___ 40. Below is a list of terms that describe people. Choose 10 words that best characterize you.
__ energetic __ formal __ alert __ good natured
__ persuasive __ informal __ curious __ thorough
__ observant __ dedicated __ organized __ impulsive
__ fashionable __ forward-looking __ unemotional __ determined
__ self-confident __ factual __ clear-thinking __ realistic
__ persevering __ open-minded __ understanding __ modest
__ original __ tactful __ dynamic __ involved
__ cautious __ inhibited __ self-demanding __ absent-minded
__ habit-bound __ enthusiastic __ polished __ flexible
__ resourceful __ innovative __ courageous __ sociable
__ egotistical __ poised __ efficient __ well-liked
__ independent __ stern __ predictable __ acquisitive
__ practical __ helpful __ perceptive __ quick
__ restless __ retiring

Source: Eugene Raudsepp, President, Princeton Creative Research, Inc.

SCORING KEYTo compute your score, circle and add up the values assigned to each item. The values are as follows:
A = Agree
B = Undecided or Don't Know
C = Disagree

1. ...... 0 ...... 1 ...... 2
2. ...... 0 ...... 1 ...... 2
3. ...... 4 ...... 1 ...... 0
4. ...... -2 ...... 0 ...... 3
5. ...... 2 ...... 1 ...... 0
6. ...... -1 ...... 0 ...... 3
7. ...... 3 ...... 0 ...... -1
8. ...... 0 ...... 1 ...... 2
9. ...... 3 ...... 0 ...... -1
10. ...... 1 ...... 0 ...... 3
11. ...... 4 ...... 1 ...... 0
12. ...... 3 ...... 0 ...... -1
13. ...... 2 ...... 1 ...... 0
14. ...... 4 ...... 0 ...... -2
15. ...... -1 ...... 0 ...... 2
16. ...... 2 ...... 1 ...... 0
17. ...... 0 ...... 1 ...... 2
18. ...... 3 ...... 0 ...... -1
19. ...... 0 ...... 1 ...... 2
20. ...... 0 ...... 1 ...... 2
21. ...... 0 ...... 1 ...... 2
22. ...... 3 ...... 0 ...... -1
23. ...... 0 ...... 1 ...... 2
24. ...... -1 ...... 0 ...... 2
25. ...... 0 ...... 1 ...... 3
26. ...... -1 ...... 0 ...... 2
27. ...... 2 ...... 1 ...... 0
28. ...... 2 ...... 0 ...... -1
29. ...... 0 ...... 1 ...... 2
30. ...... -2 ...... 0 ...... 3
31. ...... 0 ...... 1 ...... 2
32. ...... 0 ...... 1 ...... 2
33. ...... 3 ...... 0 ...... -1
34. ...... -1 ....... 0 ...... 2
35. ...... 0 ...... 1 ...... 2
36. ...... 1 ...... 2 ...... 3
37. ...... 2 ...... 1 ...... 0
38. ...... 0 ...... 1 ...... 2
39. ...... -1 ...... 0 ...... 2

40. The following have values of two (2):
energetic ........ dynamic ........ perceptive ........ dedicated ........
enthusiastic ......... resourceful ........ flexible ........ innovative ........
courageous ...... independent ......... original ........ observant ........
self-demanding ........ curious ........ persevering ......... involved

The following have values of one (1):
self-confident ........ determined ........ informal ........ forward-looking
thorough ........ restless ........ alert ........ open-minded

The rest have values of zero (0).

COMPUTE

____ Total Score


RANK

Range _______ Description

95-116 ............ Exceptionally creative
65-94 ............. Very creative
40-64 ............. Above average
20-39 ............. Average
10-19 ............. Below average
Below 10 ........ Non-creative

Source: Developing Management Skills, Second Addition by David A. Whetten and Kim S. Cameron. HarperCollins Publishers.


CONCLUSION   
Congratulations to you if you did well. If not, don't despair. Anyone can become a skilled creative problem-solver with practice.

Brainstorming and other techniques and exercises are options that should be discussed with your managers and staff in an effort to develop more creative problem-solving abilities.

Remember this. Customers want their problems solved. Who is going to do it for them?

You, or your competitors?

About The Author

Thomas J. Esper has a broad-based business background with a breadth of knowledge and skills with emphasis on analysis and added focus on strategic objectives. Previously he has held positions in the manufacturing, real estate, investment and finance industries.

Mr. Esper’s educational background includes a MBA degree from The University of Michigan. Prior to that he was a member of the CPA profession.

Currently Mr. Esper is looking for greater challenges and responsibility with a dynamic, proactive and forward-looking organization. He is searching for an employer that can put his talents and abilities to good use and for a firm that is committed to success and excellence.

Contact him by email at ecom2410@gmail.com

Do You Have An Innovative Attitude?

INNOVATION

Do You Have An Innovative Attitude?

by Thomas J. Esper


(Second in a series)

A quarter of a century ago the USA marketed 82 percent of the world’s inventions but it now ranks behind several other countries in new-product introductions. In addition, the USA has experienced a 25 percent decline in patent applications (innovations) going back to the 1970’s. Almost half of the U.S. patents are now awarded to foreigners.

In short, the U.S. has experienced a decline in creativity and innovation.

Creative problem solving and effective management needs to be improved in American business.

One way that managers can be more effective is to foster innovation in their subordinates, peers and superiors.

What are your attitudes and behavior in relation to problem solving, creativity and innovation? Take this short quiz and see.

Innovative Attitude Scale

Instructions

For each of the following statements, indicate the extent to which they are true of either your actual behavior or your intentions. That is, describe the way you are on the job. Use the following scale for your responses.

5 - Almost always true

4 - Often true

3 - Not applicable

2 - Seldom true

1 - Almost never true

Scoring key below.

(Note: You may want to make and distribute copies of this first before proceeding further. To receive a word version of this by email contact the author at ecom2410@gmail.com).

___ 1. I openly discuss with my boss how to get

ahead.

___ 2. I try new ideas and approaches to

problems.

___ 3. I take things or situations apart to find

out how they work.

___ 4. I welcome uncertainty and unusual

circumstances related to my tasks.

___ 5. I negotiate my salary openly with my

supervisor.

___ 6. I can be counted on to find a new use for

existing methods or equipment.

___ 7. Among my colleagues and co-workers, I

will be the first or nearly the first to try

out a new idea or method.

___ 8. I take the opportunity to translate

communications from other departments

for my work group.

___ 9. I demonstrate originality.

___ 10. I will work on a problem that has caused

others great difficulty.

___ 11. I provide critical input toward a new

solution.

___ 12. I provide written evaluations of proposed

ideas.

___ 13. I develop contacts with experts outside

my firm.

___ 14. I use personal contacts to maneuver

myself into choice work assignments.

___ 15. I make time to pursue my own pet ideas

or projects.

___ 16. I set aside resources for the pursuit of a

risky project.

___ 17. I tolerate people who depart from

organizational routine.

___ 18. I speak out in staff meetings.

___ 19. I work in teams to try to solve complex

problems.

___ 20. If my co-workers are asked, they will say

I am a wit.

Source: Ettlie, John E., & O’Keefe, Robert D. Innovative attitudes, values and intentions in organizations. Journal of Management Studies, 1982.

Problem Solving, Generating Ideas and Leadership

One of the critical behaviors of success is Flexible Thinking—creative adaptability in different contexts. It is having new ideas and lots of them. It is applying them to solve complex problems with multiple solutions. Problem definition and innovative solutions get results.

Innovative people tend to be more ambidextrous in their thinking. That is, they use both the left and the right hemisphere of their brain. The left side deals with thought that is analytical, sequential, organized, planned, precise, based on reason and logic. The right hemisphere deals with thought that is imaginative, playful, emotional, pleasurable, qualitative judgment, based on sentiment or intuition.

Exercise to Test Ambidextrous Thinking

Look at the following two lists of words. Take a minute to memorize the first list. Then write down as many of the words as you can remember on a sheet of paper.

List 1

decline

term

determine

very

conceptual

target

ambiguous

about

quantity

resources

appendix

survey

Now repeat the process with the second list.

List 2

sunset

castle

umbrella

perfume

guitar

radar

brick

pencil

blister

monkey

computer

chessboard

Most people remember more words on the second list. That’s because the second list contains words that relate to visual perceptions. They connect with right brain activity as well as left brain activity. People can draw mental pictures or fantasize about them.

The same is true for innovation. The more both sides of the brain are used the more innovative the ideas.

“Things do not change, we do.” – Henry David Thoreau

Scoring Key

To compute your score on the Innovative Attitude Scale, simply add up the numbers for your responses to the twenty questions. Then compare your total score to the following norm group. Note that the percentile indicates the percent of the people who are expected to score below you.

Score Percentile

39 ................ 5

53 ............... 16

62 ............... 33

71 ............... 50

80 ............... 68

89 ............... 86

97 ............... 95

Source: Developing Management Skills, Second Edition by David A. Whetton and Kim S. Cameron. HarperCollins Publishers.

Conclusion

There is an old saying in business that states, “You manage from the left but lead from the right.”

Paradoxically, left hemisphere thinking is generally rewarded. However, right hemisphere thinking is often times considered tenuous, inferior, wasteful and sometimes even discouraged in business.

Yet as discussed here, ambidextrous thinking, that is switching and using both the left and right hemisphere of the brain, is needed for problem solving, creativity and innovation.

Ironically, by not fostering innovation firms may also indirectly be harming future leadership.

Therefore, the final point for discussion is the following:

What steps can you (and your organization) do to be more effective in this area, starting now?

About The Author

Thomas J. Esper has a broad-based business background with a breadth of knowledge and skills with emphasis on analysis and added focus on strategic objectives. Previously he has held positions in the manufacturing, real estate and finance industries.

Mr. Esper’s educational background includes a MBA degree from The University of Michigan. Prior to that he was a member of the CPA profession.

Currently Mr. Esper is looking for greater challenges and responsibility with a dynamic organization. He is searching for an employer that can put his talents and abilities to good use and for a firm that is committed to success and excellence.

Contact him by email at ecom2410@gmail.com