Essay Sample on Individual Creative Thinking Profile

Introduction

Personality analysis is a useful tool for predicting human behavior. Often, people with a set of personality trait are predisposed to act in a particular way. Several studies have been conducted in this field of human knowledge, and the results show that people inherit genetically as well as acquire personality traits from their environment. A vital component of the personality is the creative thinking profile. An understanding of the pattern provides a framework for the way people respond cognitively to the challenges and opportunities they face daily. This paper reflects on a personal creative thinking style and how it can inform the professional relationship with peers of similar or different thinking approaches.

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According to Puccio, Mance, and Murdock (2011), there are two main categories of creative thinkers; the adaptors and the innovators. Adaptors have an inherent drive to improve on the existing ideas whereas innovators tend to challenge the current mindsets. Further, they exhibit different levels of energy in the creative thinking process. Personally, I have a preference for the adaptive, creative approach. Though I often manifest instances of coping behavior, my personality and character traits resonate well with the adaptive thought patterns.

Notably, there is a difference between the level of creativity and the style of creativity. People with the same level of creative ability may express themselves differently. Mainly, I rarely challenge the established sets of rules and regulations. I obtain satisfaction in contributing to the details of a project than initiating the process altogether. Further, I take great pride in the successful completion of a project following a methodical approach. Often, I am convinced that there is the specific method by which every problem can be solved. That is to say, every task is unique and therefore requires a predetermined approach to tackle (Puccio, Mance, & Murdock, 2011).

One set back of the methodical approach to solving problems as adaptors are that we can occasionally plunge into perfectionism which utterly destroys creativity. To mitigate the negative trait, adaptors will often display flashes of original ideas. I have observed that I rarely find peace before the completion of an assignment. I obtain fulfillment in meeting the laid down objectives in a timely fashion.

As a manager in a medium-size firm, I am tasked to oversee the implementation of the company objectives. The position requires stability and continuity. I am confident that the success I enjoy in the position is due to the adaptive, creative thinking approach. Moreover, I naturally emphasize with other employees and peers. My sensitive nature has further endeared me to fellow workers. Consequently, I easily fit into team building and other group-oriented endeavors in the workplace.

The adaptive, creative approach corresponds to the Interpersonal Circle character trait. According to Digman (1990), interpersonal behavior revolves around two opposite ends namely Love-hate and power. Mainly, individual will exhibit behavior either to show love or hate and to exert power and authority. Adaptors often show the love that enables them to succeed in group activities. Further, their love towards others and issues manifest through sensitivity to other people's needs. Occasionally, adaptors wield power which manifests through the occasional development of original ideas and their subsequent implementation. Moreover, the actions can be analyzed on the love-hate and power continuum. That is to say, an individual's predisposed behavior may fall anywhere in the spectrum. For adaptors, it is often closer to the love-hate end of the circle.

My second preference is the innovative, creative approach. In as much as I identify predominantly with the adaptive mentality, there are significant aspects of my life and work that demonstrates the characteristics of the innovators. For instance, in the workplace, there are problems that require spontaneous solutions. Such solutions may be impractical, risky and without a specific precedent to follow (Grivas & Puccio, 2012). The workplace and home environments present different sets of challenges daily, and a hybrid cognitive ability consisting of the adaptive and the innovative approaches are valuable in creating lasting solutions.

The innovative style, however, is not suitable for group system. I have observed that its application threatens group unity. Also, innovators tend to be self-seeking and looks at the overall objectives without due consideration of the practicality of their decisions (Grivas & Puccio, 2012). The limitations notwithstanding, the approach is a viable avenue for expressing creativity.

My current role as a manager in a medium-size company aligns well with my creative style. My position requires adherence to company goals and steering my department towards the same end. It demands conformity to tried and tested methods that promote stability in the workplace. However, the business environment is always changing and demands occasional out-side-the-box thinking. Adaptors have the inherent ability to sporadically come up with original ideas to solve problems.

Surveys indicate that the marketplace is biased towards the innovators. Mainly, company mission statements and core values often echo the corporate clarion call for innovativeness. However, at the center of company requirement for employees is the ability to propagate the established values. Evidently, even big corporates that thrive on innovative technology like Apple and Microsoft have minimum values that employees and other stakeholders must follow.

As an adaptive thinker, my creative abilities may be undervalued because of the existing bias in the marketplace. However, the reader should understand that adaptive thinkers are equally creative only that they express their ability differently. For instance, my role in the organization requires constant communication with members of the department. Intra-office correspondence follows strict guidelines for uniformity. Thus, my style enables me to achieve this with ease. Dealing with clients over the phone, however, sometimes demand levels of discretion that do not align with my creative approach. They may require unconventional solutions to problems that require innovative approach (Prichard, 2018).

The understanding of the different approaches to creative thinking is essential, especially in the work environment. People exhibit different styles, and the cohesion at work depends on the level of appreciation of the diversity. Working with fellow adaptors in a formal setting is easy because we view problems through a similar lens. However, a challenge may arise when leading innovators as an adaptor. Innovators are undisciplined and not rule-bound. They focus on the goal and not on the practical aspects towards the objective. Armed with the knowledge of the differences, I can efficiently cooperate with such individuals by emphasizing only on the processes that are core to the business values. Ultimately, a balance between the differences and similarities will produce cohesion in the rule-bound (Kilgour & Koslow, 2009).

Conclusion

Businesses can tap into the vast potential that both the creative and adaptive approaches offer. Particularly, since innovators are inclined to challenge existing practices, organizations can use them to spearhead change model programs. Adaptors, on the other hand, are suitable for the implementation of the changes. Evidence shows that many groundbreaking changes in business were pioneered by innovators (Prichard, 2018). This does not undervalue the contribution of adaptors but aims to emphasize that a balance between the two opposites is necessary for business success.

References

Digman, J. M. (1990). Personality structure: emergence of the five-factor model. Annual Reviews of Psychology, 417-436.

Grivas, C., & Puccio, G. J. (2012). The innovative team: unleashing potential for breakthrough results. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Kilgour, M., & Koslow, S. (2009). Why and how do creative thinking techniques work?: Trading off originality and appropriateness to make more creative advertising. Journal of the academy of marketing science, 298-309.

Prichard, S. (2018). The book of mistakes: 9 secrets to creating a successful future

Puccio, G. J., Mance, M., & Murdock, M. (2011). Creative leadership: skills that drive change. California: Sage.