Page 69 - The John Adair Handbook of Management and Leadership

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Creativity

There are a number of obstacles which inhibit creativity. The seven main
ones are:
1 Negativity

2 Fear of failure
3 Lack of quality thinking time

4 Over-conformance with rules and regulations
5 Making assumptions

6 Applying too much logic
7 Thinking you are not creative.

These obstacles can be seen in this identi-kit profile of the non-
creative person; someone who is:
• not able to think positively about problems (and does not see
them as opportunities)

• too busy or stressed to think objectively or at all
• very self-critical
• timid in putting forward a new idea (fearing ridicule)

• viewed as a conformist by friends/colleagues
• prone to apply logic as a first and last resort
• sceptical that many people are capable of being creative

• unable to think laterally
• uninspired even when confronted with a new idea.

On the other hand, creativity can be encouraged in people (including
oneself) by exploring some of the qualities and characteristics of
creative thinkers and the activities/steps that can be undertaken to
improve the processes involved.

Chapter 4: Creativity and innovation 59