Creativity in learning
How to make learning both engaging and effective!
Most corporate learning programs lack the necessary element of creativity. In his HBR article 'Corporate Learning is Boring', Duncan Wardle (the former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney) argues that creativity is the missing piece to making upskilling engaging and effective. He was asked to embed a culture of innovation and creativity into the company’s DNA. It took him some iterations to find different ways to unlock creativity in all trainings such as 1) encourage “What if?”, 2) respond to challenges with “How else?”, 3) create time to explore playfulness, and 4) make training a game. His key ingredient for learning journeys is giving leaders the tools to make creativity at work second nature. “A chef with a full set of knives is more confident in the kitchen than one with a single, dull blade; having the right tools empowers people to excel in their craft”.
Many people believe that creativity is an innate talent, but the truth is that creativity can be learned and honed by everyone. Our book "Boardroom Creativity" aims to empower people by making them aware of the different ways of thinking and doing, new perspectives, and possible mindsets. In the In-company Leadership programs we develop with clients, we encourage people to be curious, bold, and use their imagination. We believe that creativity is essential in business and plays a crucial role in innovation. Therefore, we always start the learning journey by focusing on the context and strategy of the company. We also emphasize personal growth and reaching one's full potential at work, as they are equally important. Taking the time to learn is essential, but transforming one's attitude towards learning is the key to success.
Which learning environment sparked your curiosity? What are the key things you want to learn to drive innovation?