12 Myths That Kill Creativity

We can all agree that creativity is a vital ingredient for success in the business world, but as we discussed in last week's article 7 Types of Creativity: Business Creativity Explored, due to old-fashioned beliefs about creativity, not everyone is aware of their own creative talents. Adding to the conflicting and confusing beliefs about creativity are common misconceptions that prevent many people from developing creative ideas and practices.

In this article, we are going to be exploring the pervasive myths surrounding creativity and how they affect business owners and their ability to develop business ideas. In a rapidly changing world, it is essential for businesses to be able to adapt and evolve. Creativity is the key to this process.

Additionally, the business world is full of challenges, and entrepreneurs need to be able to think outside the box to find solutions. Creativity is again the key to this process.

Finally, entrepreneurs need to be able to connect with customers on a deeper level. Customers are becoming more and more sophisticated, and they are looking for businesses that can offer them something more than just a product or service. Creativity is essential for businesses that want to stand out from the crowd and build lasting relationships with their customers.

Hopefully (fingers crossed) by debunking commonly believed myths about creativity, you will be able to get more clarity on how you as an entrepreneur and leader can harness creativity effectively and get inspired to develop new business ideas.

Myth 1: Creativity Comes from Creative Types

One common misconception is that only certain individuals, often deemed "creative types" like artists or writers, possess creativity. (Ah yes, the stereotype that reinforces the ideology of some people being "the chosen ones... lovely...) The good news is that creativity is not limited to a select group. In reality, everyone has creative potential waiting to be tapped into, and this applies to generating innovative business ideas. It's actually, about nurturing the right environment and mindset that allows creativity to flourish.

Consider children who don't have their crayons ripped from their fingers when they leave pre-school and are allowed to explore non-academic interests, hobbies and passions, they tend to grow up to be adults who are not only comfortable with creative exploration, but also out of the box thinking.

As a business owner, you should recognize that creativity is a skill that can be developed and honed, not just within yourself, but also in your teams. You can do this by encouraging diverse perspectives and providing opportunities for ideation and innovation can unlock the creative potential of every team member, ultimately driving business growth.

Myth 2: Only Artists Are Creative, and Creativity is Rare

The idea that only individuals in artistic fields are creative is a widespread limiting belief that contributes to hindering the development of diverse ideas, especially in business. Creativity manifests in various forms and industries, not just confined to traditional artistry.

As a business owner, you should recognize and celebrate creativity across all aspects of your business, and be an advocate for fostering a culture of innovation and inspiring members of your team (and yourself) to develop ideas, even if they aren't considered artistic, business ideas can be developed in multiple areas of an organization. Encouraging team members to embrace their unique creative abilities will inevitably lead to innovative solutions and a more dynamic and competitive business.

Myth 3: Only Individuals with a High IQ Are Creative

Intelligence is not the sole determinant of creativity. While intelligence can contribute to creativity, it's not a prerequisite for generating business ideas. Creative thinking involves a combination of various cognitive abilities, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and imaginative ideation.

As a business owner, you should emphasize the development of a diverse skill set that encompasses creative thinking and problem-solving to nurture the generation of innovative business ideas. Encouraging continuous learning and fostering an environment that values different forms of intelligence can lead to a more innovative and adaptable workforce, which are vital elements building a successful business.

Myth 4: Only the Young Are Creative

The misconception that creativity is the domain of the young neglects the fact that creativity can thrive at any age, fostering the development of business ideas. (Yes I know that usually younger people do seem to have most of the energy required to try new things, but even those of us who are wiser in years are capable of creative ideation.) Experience and wisdom can enrich creativity by providing a deeper understanding of context and a broader perspective, influencing the development of innovative business ideas.

As business owners, we should embrace the creativity of employees of all ages and recognize the value of a diverse workforce in generating business ideas. Cultivating an inclusive environment that appreciates the contributions of individuals at various stages of their careers, can lead to a wealth of innovative ideas and solutions, enhancing business ideas and success.

Myth 5: Money is a Creativity Motivator

The belief that money is the primary motivator for creativity is a pervasive myth surrounding the development of business ideas. (I'm sure we all know people who believe that the solution to any problem is to throw money at it...) While financial incentives are important, they are not the sole driving force behind creativity. Research shows that intrinsic motivations, such as a sense of purpose, autonomy, and the desire for mastery, play a significant role in fostering creativity and inspiring business leaders and their teams to create business ideas.

As a business owner, you should focus on fostering a work environment that values and nurtures intrinsic motivations to inspire innovative business ideas. Yes, it does take more time and thought to figure out how to create that kind of environment, but it leads to greater gain in the long-run. When team members are passionate about their work and feel empowered to make a meaningful impact, creativity naturally follows, leading to a plethora of ideas and solutions.

Myth 6: Time Pressure Fuels Creativity

Contrary to the belief that creativity thrives under intense time pressure, research suggests that excessive time pressure can stifle creativity, hindering the development of new business ideas. (I'm sure we have all experienced the pressure of having someone breathing down our necks... not fun... not fun at all) Creativity requires a certain degree of cognitive freedom and mental space to explore and generate innovative business ideas and solutions. When under pressure, people sometimes choose the first solution they can think of, instead of looking at all the possibilities.

As a business owner you should aim for a balance between providing deadlines to drive progress and allowing team members the time and space to think creatively and generate new business ideas. Managing workload and setting realistic deadlines can promote a conducive atmosphere for creativity without overwhelming individuals.

Myth 7: Fear Forces Breakthroughs

Fear of failure is often considered a catalyst for breakthroughs in business ideas, but this is completely misguided. (Because naturally, who doesn't want to work on something, with their anxiety dialed all the way up...) While a healthy level of challenge can motivate people to come up with solutions, excessive fear and pressure can inhibit creativity and lead to a risk-averse culture, stifling potential business ideas and solutions.

As a business owner, you should foster a supportive environment that encourages taking calculated risks, learning from failures, and viewing them as stepping stones toward success. Empowering your team to embrace challenges with resilience and adaptability is essential for cultivating creativity and generating innovative business solutions.

Myth 8: Competition Beats Collaboration

The misconception that competition is more effective than collaboration in driving creativity overlooks the power of collective intelligence in generating business ideas. (Another favourite of mine, where managers and team leaders, foster a Hunger Games, level of combativeness within their own teams. Yay. Don't work together, work against each other... Totally sound wisdom there.) Collaboration is important to creativity, because it encourages the exchange of diverse ideas, fostering innovation and creative problem-solving, a crucial aspect of successful business ideas.

As a business owner, you should promote collaboration among your team members, both within the organization and with external stakeholders, because it leads to the generation of novel business ideas. Creating cross-functional teams, where people from different departments or projects, get to interact, will result in knowledge sharing and lead to breakthrough solutions that propel the business forward with innovative business ideas.

Myth 9: An Unstructured Organization is a Creative Organization

The belief that a highly organized and structured organization stifles creativity is a fallacy that can limit the generation of business ideas. (I'm looking at all the people who run startups with everyone working on everything at the same time, with very little structure) Creativity can actually thrive in well-organized environments when the structure is designed to support and facilitate innovation and the development of new business ideas. So I'm not advocating for you to lock everyone into tiny, soul-sucking cubicles, I'm discouraging you from having no rhyme and rhythm to your workspace and culture.

As a business owner, you should strike a balance between structure and flexibility within the organization to foster the growth of business ideas. Providing guidelines and structure while allowing room for experimentation and creativity ensures a conducive environment for both efficiency and innovation, fueling a variety of business solutions.

Myth 10: Creativity is Mystical, Magical, and Divine

Creativity is often romanticized as something mystical or divine, leaving many to believe it's beyond their reach and the realm of generating business ideas. In reality, creativity is actually a cognitive process that can be understood, nurtured, and cultivated through conscious effort and practice, aiding in the development of unique business ideas.

As a business owner, you should demystify creativity within your business by educating your teams about its nature and principles and promoting the generation of creative business ideas by everyone who works with you. By promoting a pragmatic understanding of creativity, individuals can develop a proactive approach towards harnessing their creative potential for innovative business ideas.

Myth 11: Creativity is Only for Right-Brained People

The notion that only right-brained individuals possess creativity has been debunked for some time now, yet is still heavily promoted. Creativity involves both hemispheres of the brain, and it's a multidimensional skill that integrates various cognitive processes, critical for developing business ideas.

As a business owner, you could debunk this myth by promoting a holistic approach to creativity, emphasizing the integration of analytical and creative thinking in generating business ideas. Encouraging your team to engage both hemispheres of their brain can result in a more balanced and effective approach to problem-solving and innovation, which is vital for the development of business ideas.

Myth 12: You Can't Learn to Be Creative

Contrary to the belief that creativity is an innate talent that can't be learned, creativity can be developed and enhanced through education, training, and experience, crucial for generating business ideas. (Fear not, all ye who have stood on the sidelines and watched others enjoy the spoils of being supposedly superior when it comes to creative thinking.) With the right guidance and techniques, you can unlock and expand your creative potential, leading to a profusion of business ideas.

As a business owner, you should invest in training programs and workshops that focus on enhancing creativity and innovation within your team and for yourself, fostering the development of new business ideas. Providing learning opportunities and resources will empower your team to cultivate and apply their creativity, which will end up leading to more business success through a myriad of innovative business ideas.

Real World Examples

Here are some real-world examples of companies and how they handle creative mindset challenges.

Creativity is an integral part of Step 2 of the SPARK Framework, which focuses on Developing Creative Business Ideas. It emphasizes the need to dispel common myths surrounding creativity to ignite innovative thinking and drive the creation of novel business ideas, because these business ideas are what you build your business model on.

Rebooting Your Creative Mindset

To help you explore which myths are holding you back creatively, we have created a Creative Mindset Worksheet to help entrepreneurs identify and overcome the mindset blocks hindering their creative process. You can download the worksheet at this link.

Share Your Thoughts

What creative myths have you believed and how has it affected your ability to create ideas and solutions for your business? Share your insights and experiences in the comments below.

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