Which creative type are you?

Hint: Everyone has one, even if you think you’re “not creative”.

In 2015, The World Economic Forum predicted that creativity would be one of the top three skills in demand. Come 2020, and they couldn’t have been more accurate. The complex challenges of today’s world requires infinite amounts of creativity from all of us, no matter your role. However, we still see many examples of self-limiting beliefs and preconceived ideas around ‘creativity’ that holds people back – especially when it comes to the ASX 200’s business leaders.

Top 10 skills

in 2020

1. Complex Problem Solving
2. Critical Thinking
3. Creativity
4. People Management
5. Coordinating with Others
6. Emotional Intelligence
7. Judgement and Decision making
8. Service Orientation
9. Negotiation
10. Cognitive Flexibility

in 2015

1. Complex Problem Solving
2. Coordinating with Others
3. People Management
4. Critical Thinking
5. Negotiation
6. Quality Control
7. Service orientation
8. Judgement and Decision making
9. Active Listening
10. Creativity

Source: Future of Jobs Report, World Economic Forum

Here at We Are Unity, we’re so convinced that everyone is creative, we’ve even named one of our own behaviours after the original man, myth and legend himself; Andy Warhol.

Want to bring a bit of We Are Unity into your world? Think like an artist, by always remaining curious. Also bring the bravery by trying new things and stepping outside your comfort zone.

While many of us are a combination of creative types, there’s usually one or two that resonate most. Read on to find out which one you are, and how you can apply it to your own role. (Yes, even if you’re the CFO.)

The Gatherer

* Your characteristics are being great at research, connecting random pieces of information, and being an organisational whizz kid.

* Your special powers are setting up collaborative sessions (like brainstorms) for success, keeping everyone on task and on message or outcome. And… killing red herrings on sight.

The Instigator

* Your characteristics are being happy to keep saying the wrong ideas until you get to the right ones. You’re also great at selling to the heart and the head.

* Your special powers are bringing a child-like energy, and the emotional charge that comes with believing anything is possible. 

The Builder

* Your characteristics are being great at making other peoples’ ideas better. You usually love a good puzzle and brain teaser, and round it all off with a healthy dose of self-awareness.

* Your special powers are keeping the energy up, remaining a fountain of positivity, and promoting diversity of thought. (Because one brain is always better than two.)

The Shaper

* Your characteristics are identifying well-intended waffle with what actually needs doing. You’re deeply commercial, highly practical – but never boring.

* Your special powers are knowing when and how to fine-tune, keeping the team out of trouble, and being a ‘Stakeholder-whisperer.’

The Picker

* Your characteristics are being great at knowing when the team’s got the right idea. You also know how to explain why things work in a rational way.

* Your special powers are playing peacemaker, and giving the team time back. You also share a talent for being a ‘Stakeholder-whisperer’ with your fellow Shapers.

Putting it into action.

Here at We Are Unity, we embrace our own use the Creative Types, especially in our own brainstorms, practically every day! It’s a powerful way to get the right mix of people together in your next brainstorming session. But you can just as easily use it for any project that requires a creative solution or diversity of thought to get to the best outcome. 

Remember, creativity is all about being open...

So don’t be an ‘Idea Destroyer’ by nay-saying ideas while they’re still in the embryonic stages of suggestion. (Especially if you don’t actually give any reasons why, or come up with any alternatives.)

No matter which Creative Type you are, it’s all about getting into the right headspace to creatively contribute to your next brainstorm or project. To help you stay open to the process, you could try a 2-minute breathing exercise, or simply remind yourself what success looks like: 

A collaborative session for everyone to safely share their ideas, so that you ultimately get to the best idea to develop further. 

Got your primary creative type?

Awesome. Here’s your challenge, should you choose to accept it: Next time someone asks what you do, pique their interest by adding your creative type to your answer. Who knows where it might take you?

If you’re curious about what you’ve just learned, reach out to our team for a confidential chat about how we can help you use creativity to impact the top commercial strategies in your organisation.