The Core Files: The Creative Crisis, the Inside Out & Signatures

"Creative signature, one of the most authentic ways we experience each other, is the opposite of cliché, corporate jargon, and blandness that often sacrifice creativity in the name of conformity and agreement." - Kaitlin Murphy-Knudsen

I've come to realize that a creative crisis does not only apply to the work of artists, writers & photographers. It is a topic that affects us much more broadly. Interestingly, we tend to romanticize creativity as frivolous or a luxury — but in fact, it is fundamental. When we fail to consider the impact of creativity on our work lives and bring it into focus, we're often caught flat-footed, unprepared and uninspired.

Creativity energizes us. It drives connection. It can create masterpieces within our own work life worlds. Where there is a need for fresh ideas, problem solving and innovation, creativity matters. A creative crisis can affect us in a subtle, yet powerful sense. We often overlook not only the opportunities to bring the process of creativity to work, but our unique creative gifts as well. It is an untapped resource.

We all need a sense of creative license within our work lives, even if we do not think of it on an everyday basis. Yet it is there, to be sure, waiting in the wings. If you've hit a wall and cannot bear to look at your work as you currently see it, creativity may help. It is almost as if we need to turn ourselves inside out, just for a moment and see what might be there to help us.

Creative Signatures

How you embrace your own work in a creative sense is a good place to start. This begins with paying attention and exploring creative threads. (Without this step, our own creative blueprint can be overlooked & neglected.) Know that creativity is less of a trait — than it is a key practice. One that you may already have woven into your work life and its outputs. The trick is to capture those practices & possibly improve them.

A Creative Exercise

Consider the following: Think of a time when creativity might have helped you solve a problem.

• Method. Is there a method to how you personally approached creativity when you needed it? For example, how you approached idea generation and collection?
• Signature. Is there a creative signature or style, that others would recognize as yours in your work? Does your work have a certain feel or structure that others plainly see (but you may not)? Think back. What do others say about your work?
• Sources. Are your creative methods unique to you or were they borrowed or adapted? If borrowed/adapted is there a source you could share with others?

Do you purposely bring creativity into your work life? Do you feel that adding more creative practices would benefit your work?

Share your thoughts in comments.

Dr. Marla Gottschalk is an Industrial/Organizational Psychology Practitioner who focuses on the foundations of our work lives. She is a charter member of the LinkedIn Top Voice Program. Her thoughts on work & life have appeared in various outlets including the Harvard Business Review, The Muse, The World Economic Forums, Talent Zoo, Forbes, Quartz and The Huffington Post.