Creativity Barriers
A mind functions only when there is an opening. A new idea is the beginning and not the end of the creative process. A lot of barriers have to be surpassed before an idea is seen as a solution. The organisational climate plays an important role in producing or blocking ideas. (4)
Here are three types of creativity barriers presented briefly:
| Of cultural nature |
Of perceptive nature |
Individualist attitudes |
- conformism of ideas (old or new);
- too much stress put on reason;
- prejudges;
- cultural differences;
- non-integration of frustrations: run, aggressiveness, transfer, resignation, compensation, frustration integration.
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- negative thinking: “I am not creative!”;
- difficulty to make the difference between facts and problems;
- premature presentation of pseudo-solutions to a problem;
- difficulty in perceiving unusual relations between ideas and objects etc.
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- fear of making mistakes, lack of self confidence;
- Weak capacity to relax;
- distrust in superiors, colleagues, collaborators;
- excessive dependency on someone else’s opinions etc.
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To surpass these creativity barriers, the specialists invented (and are still doing it) numerous methods and proceedures to stimulate creativity, methods that stress the freeness of associations: syncetics (Gordon), brainstorming (Osborn), group of specialist training (Roco), or of students’ training (A. Onofrei and M. Gîrboveanu) (6, pp. 183 - 190). For more details, examples of types of exercises and games for stimulating creativity, we recommend Mihaela Roco, "Creativity and emotional creativity" and Edward de Bono, "Lateral thinking".
Exercise – sentences that block creativity
- We do not have time; this is not in our plan "it doesn’t work";
- We cannot do this without taking into account the regulations; we will discuss it some other time...;
- Although the idea is good, I’m sure it will not work; it is absolutely absurd;
- We will not be taken seriously; you say things that are not possible;
- Let others try first and then we’ll see if it worth the try;
- I have never done this before, is this idea written anywhere?
- Before speaking, think hard if you have anything serious to say!
Continue the list with other sentences that block creativity and think about it! It is important to discover the factors that block the creative potential. Creative environment: Managing styles and creativity
The traditional classification of the managing styles is: authoritarian style, democratic style, permissive style (laissez - faire). No matter the style, the manager seeks to obtain the colleagues’ cooperation, their agreement for the activity that is about to happen. Here is a table that presents the main features of the three managing styles:
| Authoritarian style |
Democratic style |
Permissive style |
- he/she imposes his/her own ideas;
- he/she critics, raises his/her voice;
- he/she dominates, imposes fear;
- he/she does not accept negotiations or changes in the plans made by him/her;
- he/she praises or encourages people very rarely - almost never;
- he/she imposes a strict discipline, he/she takes all the responsibility;
- he/she punishes, humiliates, imposes.
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- he/she seems open to a minimum collaboration with the subordinates: sets strict rules but he/she also encourages independence;
- he/she is open to discussions, accepts controversies and critical discussions;
- he/she uses praises and encourages people even when they make mistakes;
- he/she creates a stimulation environment and cultivates employees’ self respect;
- he/she encourages the employees to seek solutions, to get involved, to take upon the consequences of their decisions;
- he/she avoids critics and humiliations;
- he/she creates an atmosphere of openness, of friendly communication.
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- he/she accepts an almost total freedom that leads to anarchy and disorder;
- with excessive permissiveness he/she creates frustration that leads to very few positive results;
- he/she is efficient only if he/she has very talented and motivated employees.
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We have to make an important statement: the managing styles do not exist in a pure state. As it can be easily seen in table above, in order to create a stimulating environment from the creativity’s point of view, it is not recommended to use authoritarian domination.
Mini guide for creating a creative environment
- Ask for each employee’s opinion in order to produce a large number of ideas. If they are shy persons tell them to write them down. Do not criticise the person that produced the idea but the idea in itself.
- Do not evaluate the ideas immediately. This is done much later.
- Do not force people to “think traditionally” but do not force creative thinking either! Learn how to relax. (Breaks can be creative as well.)
- Use external stimuli to “get into the mood”: step out of the office and go to a park, museum, listen to music etc.
- Stimulate your thinking with questions of the type: What, where, when, why, how, for how long.
- Rigid managing structures inhibit communication, which impedes solving problems: be open to communication.
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