Ideas are the currency of success. In modern economies creativity is seen as a major driver of social wellbeing and economic prosperity. In many developed societies there is an established infrastructure of creative industries. These industries contribute to the increasingly knowledge-led economies of the Western world through creativity and imaginative intellectual property.

Why is creativity important?

Creativity is required to extend and adapt current thinking and meet new social and economic challenges.  In a rapidly changing world dominated by technology and facing ongoing political, financial, social and environmental change this is more important than ever.

Creativity is an essential ingredient for modern times. It influences the way we consume, communicate and share ideas. While individual creativity remains an important attribute in the creative process, the key driver of creativity in today’s collaborative landscape is group, or social creativity.

There is a shift to a ‘conceptual age’ where divergent thinking and innovation are desired skill sets. The ‘left brain’ influence of information is giving way to more ‘right brain’ values at work: inventiveness, meaning and empathy. Social intelligence is a necessary attribute of this group creative process, influencing these right brain values.

Soft skills are essential to share ideas

The importance of social intelligence as an enabler of performance and flexibility in human relationships is becoming increasingly valued in business and society. The ability to engage in ‘complex’ relationships with other humans leads to social success. These ‘soft skills’ of empathy, awareness, presence, clarity and authenticity are essential as we increasingly collaborate in agile teams to foster creativity and innovation. In other words ‘social creativity’ will reign in a fast paced, co-created world. Share ideas so that they can blossom and become relevant to our demanding environments.

So, next time a great idea pops into your head, grab a coffee and share it. In doing so it will gain momentum. You never know you (and your social group) might change the world!

References:

De Dreu, C. K., Baas, M., Roskes, M., Sligte, D. J., Ebstein, R. P., Chew, S., et al. (2013). Oxytonergic circuitry sustains and enables creative cognition in humans. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience.

DiLiello, T. C., & Houghton, J. D. (2008). Creative potential and practised creativity: identifying untapped creativity in organizations. Creativity and Innovation Management , 37-46.

Druskat, V. U., Mount, G., & Sala, F. (Eds.). (2013). Linking emotional intelligence and performance at work: Current research evidence with individuals and groups. Psychology Press.

Harvey, S. (2014). Creative Synthesis: Exploring the Process of Extraordinary Group Creativity. Academy of Management Review.

Perry-Smith, J. (2006). Social yet creative: The role of social relationships in facilitating individual creativity. The Academy of Management Journal, 49 (1), 85-101.

Pink, D. H. (2006). A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future. USA: Penguin.