Problem of Creativity

In a recent Convergence survey, creativity was listed in the top five needs of the surveyed pastors. More specifically, the inability to inspire creativity within their staff and lay leadership was the problem at hand. These church leaders join millions of other leaders seeking that elusive goal of creativity.

When I encounter a leader who expresses a desire for his or her team to be more creative, I ask them: What would you like for them to create? The question throws them a bit since everyone knows that organizations just need to be creative. I'll get a ramble about wanting breakthrough ideas or "out of the box" strategies -- but they sound more like merit badge efforts or check off the box --hey look at us, we're creative -- prideful accomplishments .

I've come to believe that creativity doesn't exist in organizations because (1) it isn't what they are really striving for and (2) it's impossible for them to conjure up something that is truly creative, genuinely new. Their misguided pursuit takes the emphasis off of organizational outcomes and attempts to place the spotlight on personal performance.

One could argue that creativity versus construction is a matter of semantics and in some cases it is. However, to do so looses sight of the subtle distinction and importance that vocabulary plays in an organization. Striving for a brilliant, totally new idea is a futile attempt that is likely embedded in self-serving motives. Rather, constructing something new from elements at our disposal removes the pride of ownership and becomes a team effort much like a group building something with a pile of Legos.

Constructing new objects, paradigms or processes is not enough by itself. Instead, organizations are better served by assembling parts, ideas, processes in a unique way to meet a need. A focus on purpose rather than creation moves the organization toward a more meaningful pursuit. It is about vocabulary for sure, but it makes a distinction that draws away from personal fame for the sake of impressing others with a so called creation. The canvas needed for creating something new doesn't exist. Rather we are to make a new product, or process, or effort from the building blocks that God has already given us. It is the classic create versus make distinction. For a expanded explanation of the subtle difference click on over to our sister site to learn more about the problem of creativity.