Recently I was reading about the decoration in the Book of Kells. Apparently the portrait of Jesus is surrounded by beautifully coloured peacocks which symbolises immortality. There is an illustration of the cross opposite the portrait of Jesus showing two monsters with double heads struggling with each other, in a scene full of tension. The implication being that beside the stillness and unchanging character of the cross, life’s struggles find a solution and answer. 

Some capital letters at the beginning of different paragraphs and sections are ornamented with various figures; some human and some animal. These capitals form little pictures that many times link in with the written word. For example, the section where the Pharisees question Jesus about the business of paying tax - do they pay it to God or Caesar - is very interesting. The Pharisees are clearly trying to catch Jesus out with a tricky question. The paragraph here starts with the letter “T” and shows a little man with his neck twisted straining to catch a beautiful bird entangled in a ribbon. For me, this is creativity in action. 

Creativity in the business world

Steve Jobs, that veritable entrepreneur, would frequently stroll into one of the large offices where his staff were working on their computers and invite one of them to take a walk with him. Jobs believed that walking ignited the creative impulse and sparked new and different ideas. He was an enemy of routine and sameness and was constantly in search of the new creative. We might ask ourselves about our own workplace and the creativity we bring to it. Are we open to the creative impulse or are we simply dominated by that pervasive word time and its constraints? 

Many businesses and companies now believe that innovation is no longer optional but essential for survival. I was fascinated by the fact that Trinity College spent over 70 million euro on its new Creative School of Business in 2019. Business schools are now incorporating the arts and humanities into their courses to enable students to hone their creative, observational and problem-solving skills. Topics such as sculpture, music, theatre, painting and other forms of art are slowly becoming integrated into certain business courses to enhance output and foster original ways of thinking.

Everyday creativity in our work

But what about our own ordinary situation of work, which may be far from the walls of creative and innovative businesses? Is there room for the creative impulse? And even more relevant - is there time in the day to develop and foster it? Or is it just a daydream?

I am not talking about becoming another Michaelangelo or aspiring to win the Nobel Prize! It might simply mean developing a different mindset with a problem or situation at work, or learning how to think outside the box for a bit.

Creativity is about being agile; it’s about engaging people. It deals with problem solving. Creativity is about coming up with solutions that are not always obvious to others; looking for new and better ways of doing things. Perhaps combining resources in various unique ways and sometimes, being ok with uncertainty. 

What can kill creativity?

We are all quite familiar with the benumbing effects of routine and repetition. It is so easy to get stuck in similar patterns of thought and ways of acting that just hamper innovation and dynamic thinking processes. A lack of meaningful work, not being listened to, or just freewheeling can paralyse any fresh approach. 

Whereas workplaces that foster creativity are more challenging intellectually and emotionally and offer a greater freedom for new ideas and different approaches. A workplace that encourages a more inclusive and open atmosphere, where people feel welcomed and accepted, can empower people to use their talents and experiences to turn failure into opportunities for growth and change.

Creativity in action in the workplace

A workplace that offers opportunities to share wisdom and insights in order to tap the potential within staff is a win-win situation. People are happier and more engaged as a team. They are more open to taking risks and able to shed unwanted fears. By asking open ended questions, igniting curiosity and offering diverse solutions to a problem, we can become better professionals and better leaders. 

Creativity has many pluses. It stimulates and motivates a person to consider their habits and maybe draw out hidden talents and energies. It nurtures a sense of togetherness, supports resilience and frees the mind to absorb new ways of thinking. It keeps the mind alert and active! Increased creativity leads to so many positive outcomes and an undoubted increase in job satisfaction. So consider for yourself in your own place of work: where can I be creative today?