How to foster-creativity at work

Everyone has an "out of the mouth of babes" story. My favorite is the time. when passing through the produce section ofa grocery store. my then three-year-old daughter Jessica asked. As chocolate pudding in season yet?" That childlike ability to see things in a new perspective-to combine disparate

elements in a way that makes sense to the creator-is one of the hallmarks of creativity. But in addition to an ability to see the world from it unique perspective. creativity also requires knowledge and discipline. Picasso was a creative genius. In part because he based his inventive exploration of art on a solid foundation of art principles. Scientists who make radical break throughs do so with a solid body of knowledge fueling their inventive leaps.

What is creativity" Can it be learned? If so. how alike is the creativity of artists. scientists. and businesspeople? According to experts, highly creative people see in new ways and make Unusual connections that others miss. They seize opportunities. challenge assumptions, and take intelligent risks. Creative people, who can also be disciplined and knowledgeable. are able to go outside of the traditional wx-ways of seeing and doing things. Often. they create solely because they become fascinated with something. Then they go about exploring with a burning intensity all aspects of what interests them.