What is Creative Thinking? Meaning and Examples

Creative Thinking, as opposed to Analytical Thinking, promotes out-of-the-box ideas and renders the art of creation. But what is Creative Thinking? Haven’t we all heard this from our favourite artists? Creative Thinking primarily stems from the right hemisphere of the brain and is often linked to tasks related to arts, music and spatial reasoning. 

While some people are naturally gifted in this, many people struggle to think out of the box. This usually stems from societal conditioning or losing touch with one’s inner child over the formative years. So, you are not an artist or a creative genius. Do you still need Creative Thinking in your life? Keep reading this blog on What is Creative Thinking if your answer is a resounding yes!

Table of Contents 

1) What is Creative Thinking?

2) Types of Creative Thinking 

3) Why is Creative Thinking Important? 

4) How Creative Thinking Works?

5) Benefits of Creative Thinking

6) Examples of Creative Thinking

7) 5 Ways to Improve Creative Thinking

8) How to Include Creative Thinking Skills in a Job Application

9) Conclusion

What is Creative Thinking?

Creative thinking is the process of generating new, original, and innovative ideas by looking at problems or situations from different perspectives. It involves breaking away from conventional patterns of thought to explore alternative solutions and approaches. Creative thinking is not limited to artistic endeavours—it can be applied to problem-solving, innovation, and decision-making across all fields.
 

Types of Creative Thinking 

Let’s understand the various types of Creative Thinking so that you can employ the skills depending on the context or the problem at hand. Here are its five common types: 

a) Divergent Thinking: Divergent thinking is the process of generating multiple ideas or solutions for a specific problem. It encourages open-minded exploration without judgment, enabling individuals to brainstorm many potential outcomes. This is often seen in brainstorming sessions, where quantity is prioritised over quality initially.

b) Convergent Thinking: Convergent thinking involves narrowing down many possible ideas or solutions into the best or most practical option. It’s often used after divergent thinking to evaluate and refine ideas, ensuring that they are realistic and actionable

c) Lateral Thinking: Lateral thinking focuses on approaching problems in indirect and creative ways, bypassing conventional or logical reasoning. This involves looking at situations from new perspectives and considering solutions that may seem unrelated or unconventional at first glance. 

d) Abstract Thinking: Abstract thinking involves thinking about concepts and ideas that aren’t tied to specific physical realities or experiences. This type of thinking is key in theoretical fields such as mathematics, philosophy, and certain branches of science, where new, intangible ideas are developed.

e) Aesthetic Thinking: Aesthetic thinking is a type of creative thinking that focuses on the appreciation and creation of beauty, harmony, and emotional expression. It’s closely related to art, design, and other creative fields where form, composition, and sensory experiences are key elements. Aesthetic thinking encourages individuals to consider how something looks, feels, or sounds and how it resonates emotionally with an audience.

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Why is Creative Thinking Important?

Creative Thinking is essential as it enables you to stretch beyond your limits and boundaries. It encourages you to look for alternative ways to come up with different possibilities.  

On the flip side, it lets you escape from old patterns of thinking that hamper your imagination skills. It even makes you a better problem-solver both in personal life and corporate life. This way, you can stay mentally sharp and be an optimistic person. 

Furthermore, embracing Creative Thinking can stimulate your growth across all areas of life. It lets you navigate challenges and adapt to changing environments easily.

How Creative Thinking Works?

Many business leaders view creativity and innovation as unpredictable, with 53% of organisations reporting that innovation happens by chance. However, with the right tools and strategies, you can unlock Creative Thinking on demand. Practising Creative Thinking techniques can help you think outside the box more frequently and effectively.

While brainstorming creative advertising campaigns is a classic example of Creative Thinking, it’s far from the only application. In STEM fields like biomedicine, creativity is sparked by asking open-ended questions and imagining hypothetical scenarios. These approaches encourage professionals to explore, experiment, and develop innovative solutions to complex health challenges.

Benefits of Creative Thinking

Here are the key benefits of Creative Thinking skills across personal, academic, and leadership domains:

1) Improved Problem-solving Capabilities 

Creative Thinking is a versatile problem-solving tool, not limited to workplace challenges. It accelerates problem resolution by introducing diverse thought techniques. The cultivated ability to discern patterns more swiftly broadens the scope of effective solutions, promoting agility in addressing many issues encountered in daily life.

2) Stronger Interpersonal Connections

Enhanced communication lies at the heart of Creative Thinking's impact on relationships. Clear articulation of ideas enriches conversations with friends, family, and colleagues. Moreover, collaborative Creative Thinking fosters a collective approach to problem-solving. This, in turn, strengthens bonds and generates innovative solutions through the synergy of diverse perspectives.

3) Heightened Productivity

Contrary to misconceptions, Creative Thinking is not a diversion but a catalyst for productivity. When traditional thought patterns lead to frustration and stagnation, engaging in Creative Thinking strategies becomes a rejuvenating pause. It rekindles motivation, reignites passion, and unlocks new solutions. As a result, it prevents productivity decline by introducing fresh perspectives and approaches.

4) Higher Self-awareness

Creative Thinking helps individuals discover more about themselves by exploring different points of view. It also uncovers hidden beliefs, biases, and perspectives. By questioning traditional thought patterns, Creative Thinking promotes self-reflection and enhances emotional awareness.

Examples of Creative Thinking

Creative Thinking is a valuable skill that is applicable in various situations, not just in traditionally creative industries. Whether you’re solving a problem, organising your schedule, or navigating team challenges, Creative Thinking can be a powerful tool.

Here are five practical examples of using Creative Thinking both in and out of the workplace:

Mind Mapping for Brainstorming

When starting a new project, create a mind map to explore different ideas and aspects. Begin with a central concept, branch out into subtopics, and further divide into smaller ideas. This visual approach highlights connections and fosters innovative solutions.

Reverse Thinking

Instead of solving a problem directly, think about how to cause it. For example, to improve customer service, consider actions that would lead to poor service. This perspective helps identify pitfalls to avoid and inspires creative solutions.

Combining Unrelated Concepts

Merge two unrelated ideas to create something unique. For instance, blending the concept of a café with a library resulted in "book cafés," where people can read and enjoy coffee in a cosy setting.

Role-Playing

Adopt another person’s perspective to uncover new insights. For example, if designing a product, imagine you’re the end-user to better understand their needs, preferences, and challenges. This approach encourages user-focused innovation.

SCAMPER Technique

Apply the SCAMPER method to enhance or reinvent products or ideas. SCAMPER stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Reverse. For instance, modifying a traditional bicycle into an electric bike can lead to a more efficient solution.

Creative Thinking can unlock fresh perspectives, drive innovation, and solve challenges in diverse scenarios.

5 Ways to Improve Creative Thinking

Here are several ways that you can improve your Creative Thinking Skills:

1) Be Curious

It is very crucial that you stay curious because it opens you up to new opportunities and helps you solve problems in a creative manner. Staying curious helps you develop your Creative Thinking skills. Staying curious will help you gain more knowledge, and you will be able to open yourself to many new experiences.

2) Open Your Mind

There are many professionals who lose out on amazing opportunities because they are unable to adapt to changes quickly. As a result, these opportunities are passed on to candidates who can readily adapt to market changes. Moreover, keeping yourself open to new experiences will help you improve your Creative Thinking skills. This will help you come up with more creative solutions.

3) Expand Your Knowledge Horizon 

If you are willing to learn new skills and knowledge every day, you will be able to expand your creative thinking ability to solve complex problems. Try to read research papers, watch interactive videos, and talk with professionals who are from different industries as well. This will open your capability to adapt to any new or sudden market changes, which will make you a capable candidate for your organisation.

4) Practice Brainstorming Activities

The best way to improve your Creative Thinking skills is by practicing different games and activities which keeps your brain active. These games are mainly designed so that you’ll be challenged intellectually and induce sensory stimulation. It might not seem apparent to you but practicing brainstorming activities will help you improve the quality of your Creative Thinking.

5) Collaborate With Your Team 

While you are solving problems, do not forget to collaborate with your team. Your team members are your strongest point in an organisation. When you collaborate with many people or members of your team, you get so many different ideas which when combined gives out Creative solutions to the problems. Also, collaboration helps you to look at a problem from different perspectives, which in turn nurtures your Creative Thinking.

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How to Include Creative Thinking Skills in a Job Application

Creative Thinking is one of the top soft skills employers seek. To stand out, demonstrate this skill through specific examples of how you’ve applied it, rather than simply listing it.

On Your Resume

While it’s important to highlight Creative Thinking, it’s more effective to show how you’ve used this skill to achieve results. Fontenot advises focusing on your mental strengths:

a) Are you a strong problem solver?

b) Can you reframe ideas effectively?

c) Are you quick to learn new skills?

Include terms like “problem-solving,” “collaboration,” “fast learner,” or “communication” on your resume. Use these keywords to align with employer needs. Consider downloading a resume template to help you integrate these skills effectively.

On Professional Profiles

Your LinkedIn profile and personal website are excellent platforms to showcase Creative Thinking. Garcia suggests explicitly listing skills like “creative problem solving” to optimise Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

To go beyond listings, provide tangible proof of your creativity:

a) Share links to an online portfolio.

b) Highlight specific projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities.

These examples make your creativity more visible and credible.

In the Interview

Be ready to articulate your creative process during the interview. Discuss how you:

a) Brainstormed and developed ideas.

b) Explored different approaches.

c) Tested and refined solutions.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and clearly demonstrate the impact of your Creative Thinking on the outcome.

By weaving creativity into your resume, profiles, and interviews, you’ll leave a strong impression of your problem-solving and innovation skills.

Conclusion 

We hope you thoroughly understand What is Creative Thinking and how  it can greatly impact every aspect of your life. By developing and cultivating this skill, you tap into countless opportunities. It lets you embrace a sense of curiosity and maintain an open mindset. Begin implementing the tips mentioned in this blog and observe as your imagination thrives, resulting in a more prosperous and vibrant life. 

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