Blog #6-Thoughts on Creativity

Personal Creativity:

Creativity, to me, is one of the inherent factors that make an individual unique. For me, it has been a driving factor for what I want to do professionally and what has brought me enjoyment in the past. When choosing a major within McCombs, creativity was one of the deciding factors that drew me toward marketing. This than transitioned to interest in advertising, as I wanted more flexibility in creative thinking. As I have begun the recruiting process for future career possibilities, I have found industry’s that excel in innovation and creativity more appealing. One of my most memorable creative moments for me came this past year while chairing the Texas Revue committee for the Undergraduate Business Council. I produced and directed a talent production of singing, dancing, and acting. The end result was some of my best work and that feeling of excitement and accomplishment among my peers was unforgettable. On the other hand, there have been times where I have felt less creative. Currently, i have been struggling for creativity in writing these blogs. There always seems to be something else to improve upon and it has been a creative challenge for me throughout the semester. With that being said, a challenge is always good and I’m thankful for the invested interest and constructive feedback.

Organizational Creativity:

I never really understood what an innovative company looked like, until my internship this summer. I had the opportunity to work for the advertising agency Young & Rubicam in New York and learn from some of the most creative minds in the industry. From the optimistic people to the home-like atmosphere, this company valued creativity. We had one rule in our office and it was that we could not use the word, “no.” I think this principle is a prime example of the optimistic and determined employees that worked for Young & Rubicam and thought no idea was too outrageous or impossible.  Due to the fact that most advertisers think of their most creative and innovative ideas outside the work place, the office space was a non-traditional atmosphere. From ping-pong tables, graffiti walls, lounges, and rooftop decks, the workplace offered something for everyone in order for them to feel at home. During our internship we were organized into teams and asked to come up with a New Business pitch for an existing company, which would include all the different areas of advertising. I found it more beneficial to work together as a team, because it allowed us to build off each others ideas until we came up with a final presentation that we were all proud of. The sense of accomplishment and positive feedback that we received was unforgettable.

Creative Capabilities:

I believe that creativity can come from anyone, at anyplace, and at any time. Everyone has creative ideas within them, but some need extra encouragement in order to explore and share those ideas. The key is finding a good creative thinking environment and for me, that’s Starbucks. Everyone has that place that the creative juices just seem to flow and it’s important to get in that zone with individual creativity. People argue that some of the most creative ideas have come from introverted people, but i personally believe that groupthink is the new trend for our generation. I personally enjoy working in groups. I love the idea of building off each other’s creativity and coming up with one innovative conclusion. In this environment it’s important to have the right optimistic attitude and if this is done, encouragement can be a key advantage to group thinking.

Creative Processes:

The exploration of different creative processes are vital to enhancing both individual and group  creativity. This new variety can lead to more efficient ways in solving creative problems. As far as trusting ourselves to pick the right approach, I have found trail and error to be the best method. Over time, you will begin to adapt new processes that you find more beneficial than before. As you recognize these changes, you can rearrange and adjust your schedule accordingly. For example, last year I was able to write my best essays late at night, because that was my creative preference. This year, I find this process not as beneficial as it has been in the past. After some trial and error, morning time seemed to be the new go-to process for creative writing and essays. After figuring this out, I went on to make the necessary adjustments. When it comes to matching creative problems with creative processes, I believe that there is no limit to the number of techniques that you can have and it’s based on personal preference.