The Myths Of Creativity - Who's Idea Is It Anyway?

I have been having a lot of fun being part of the launch team for “The Myths of Creativity – The Truth About How Innovative Companies And People Really Generate Great Ideas” by David Burkus. I never really put much thought into the idea of innovation and creativity … or did I?

Burkus has totally changed the way I think about the topic of creativity. He does an outstanding job of describing ten myths that I believe clearly demonstrate that there is creativity within all of us. Most of us just don’t know it.

Many of you know that I am constantly reading. One of the reasons I read is that I think being constantly subjected to the ideas of others helps me to expand my own thinking. Burkus takes this same thought process and shows how our collaboration with others is the real key behind innovative creativity.

I found one of his myths, the Originality Myth, quite interesting. He uses two stories, one about Alexander Graham Bell and the telephone and the other about Steve Jobs and Bill Gates regarding “windows” and the graphical user interface (GUI). If asked “who invented the telephone or the “windows” on your computer, most people would answer with one of the names above. If you want to know the truth – order the book!

But here is the point. All creativity, innovation and all good ideas are really the product of what someone did before them. Bell simply refined what had already been discovered in the telegraph. Gates and Jobs merely expanded on what Xerox had done years before.

In all honesty, I knew there was more to these stories before reading the book, however, my understanding of what creativity really is and how we get creative has changed considerably.

Burkus discusses these ten myths that are really limiting beliefs that keep us from innovation at both the personal and organizational levels. Not only does he reveal these myths, but he provides clear direction on how to overcome the challenges that hold us back. You know I love anyone who battles against limiting beliefs!

I look at myself and the things I have been doing over the last few years. I have been doing things that I never dreamed I would be doing. Creating my own content, developing an entire new career and identity and even constructing this website. I know – nothing special – but it’s mine; I created it.

But here is the point that Burkus makes. None of this was my idea. It is simply a combination of watching, learning, and applying what other people know into what I do. Now here is the sweet stuff – if creativity is really the organization of what other people have already done, in a new way, there is no limit to what we can do.

I have only really pulled the thoughts from one of the myths that Burkus offers in this book. If you have any desire to expand your ability to come up with good ideas and how to turn that into major achievement, grab a copy of The Myths Of Creativity.

My challenge for you today; Don’t be afraid to share your ideas with others. Even if it does not make sense or seem possible, it may spur some similar thinking in someone else and who knows what you might collectively come up with. After reading this book, I realize that no good idea was the product of one thought by one individual. Be that catalyst to the next major breakthrough that comes along. What do you have to lose?