A World of Creative Intelligence

Abstract

Since this is an introductory chapter, we cover the “What? Why? Who? and How?” of creative thinking. We introduce some key concepts that will be developed in depth later in the book. Starting with the question of what creativity is, we consider the changing historic viewpoints and perspectives. We cover different paradigms proposed by various people as they considered the “What is creativity?” question over the millennia. Next we consider “How?”. How can creativity and creative intelligence (CiQ) be identified and measured (once we know what it is)? Next you, as reader, might wonder: “Why this is important?”, especially to business executives now, and into the future. We aim to answer that from a few business perspectives, including sticky problems, contextual changes and competitive marketspace factors. We start with our best attempt – given the current body of knowledge – to answer the question: “What is creativity?” We then progress to various definitions and theoretical frameworks on how creativity is seen from various paradigms, including psychology, physiology and business. This chapter covers the six Ps, an extension of the traditional four Ps of Person, Product, Process and Press, to include Partners, and Possibilities. We then cover the “Who?” Who are considered creatives?, or in the terminology of this book, Who are creative genii ? (Throughout this book we refer to creatives as a collective noun – also named genii – when we refer to creatives’ inherent abilities, talents, personality and characteristics or intelligence)

CREATiViTY LABORatory

1.1 Activity I: Eight Intelligences

Eight intelligences	Think of a time you used this intelligence to solve a problem. Record the importance to youa to develop this further (as a rating out of 10). What could you do to develop this intelligence?
Verbal linguistic	□
Syntax, semantics, phonology, pragmatics
Have well-developed verbal skills and sensitivity to the sounds, meanings and rhythms of words
Musical	□
Pitch, rhyme, timbre
Have the ability to produce and appreciate rhythm, pitch and timbre
Logical-mathematical	□
Patterns, number, relations, calculations
Have the ability to think conceptually and abstractly, and capacity to discern logical and numerical patterns
Spatial	□
Mental visualization, mental manipulation, transformation of images
Have the ability to think in pictures; visualize abstractly and accurately
Bodily-kinaesthetic	□
Control of bodily motions, skilful handling of objects
Have a preference to control one’s body movements and to handle objects skilful
Inter-personal	□
Awareness of feelings, moods, motivations and desires of others and work best in a crowd
Have an external focus and good people skills
Intra-personal	□
Awareness of one’s own feelings, desires and capacities
Have a capacity to be self-aware and in tune with one’s inner feelings, values, beliefs and thinking processes.
Naturalist	□
Recognition and classification of plants, animals, weather, sea, earthly events and objects in nature
Have the ability to recognize and categorize plants, animals and other objects in nature.

1. ^aThis is a personal viewpoint or ranking. It should not be seen as a goal or purpose statement, but merely a way to consider whether this is something (an intelligence) you wish to spend time and other resources on. And if so, how high does it rank and what could you do to improve this competence?