The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves. Carl Jung When I worked at Qlik Technologies, I was latterly the VP of Innovation and Design, a title I chose myself. After I left,
Invention, creativity, and playfulness occur when people have freedom and safety. In our current environment, fear and anxiety predominate. Those of us who are trying to swim against that tide struggle to find a mental space where we can connect to our creative source. Innovation is about so much more than a personal habit. It's about creating a culture that makes the space for joy and playfulness.
That's a very good point, Geraldine. A culture which supports innovation also supports a willingness to get it wrong at times - the playfulness of innovation includes a lot of experimentation which cannot always get it right. And that cannot be seen critically: we have to enjoy the edginess and fun. Thank you.
Thank you Donald! Love the quote. I like the distinction between innovate and invent (the latter is more freeing yet perhaps less purposeful). I'd like to see you expound more on the Jung quote- including what "play" looks like and how to do that from "inner necessity." How does one select and switch tools from identifying the problem, creating a safe space to "play" and then applying invention (innovation?).
Thanks Tyson - yes I should probably go further with this. I will certainly post in the future about play. One key element which is often overlooked is that "play" is not just spontaneous - we actually need to practice it. The safe space has to be meaningful. This is a big problem when people who say "Let's brainstorm!" or "Think outside the box!" You can't just do that if you don't know to do it.
Invention, creativity, and playfulness occur when people have freedom and safety. In our current environment, fear and anxiety predominate. Those of us who are trying to swim against that tide struggle to find a mental space where we can connect to our creative source. Innovation is about so much more than a personal habit. It's about creating a culture that makes the space for joy and playfulness.
That's a very good point, Geraldine. A culture which supports innovation also supports a willingness to get it wrong at times - the playfulness of innovation includes a lot of experimentation which cannot always get it right. And that cannot be seen critically: we have to enjoy the edginess and fun. Thank you.
Thank you Donald! Love the quote. I like the distinction between innovate and invent (the latter is more freeing yet perhaps less purposeful). I'd like to see you expound more on the Jung quote- including what "play" looks like and how to do that from "inner necessity." How does one select and switch tools from identifying the problem, creating a safe space to "play" and then applying invention (innovation?).
Thanks Tyson - yes I should probably go further with this. I will certainly post in the future about play. One key element which is often overlooked is that "play" is not just spontaneous - we actually need to practice it. The safe space has to be meaningful. This is a big problem when people who say "Let's brainstorm!" or "Think outside the box!" You can't just do that if you don't know to do it.