21st Century Skills — Creativity

You probably hear people use the word "creative" to describe friends who paint, sing, write, dance, act or take photographs. But creativity is not limited to the performing and visual arts. In fact, creativity is one of the most important twenty-first century job skills.


So what does "creativity" mean when it relates to a job? The answer is really simple: It means looking at things in a different way.

You probably think creatively already in your personal life, but don't realize it. For example, during the weekend, you can probably come up with a creative way to get a ride to a place where you want to go. And chances are you will find a friend who has music you can download when you want a specific song. You may have found ways to convince your parents to buy you a car after they were hesitant at first.

Now, all you need to do is apply that same type of creative thinking to work. What would you do in the following situations that require creative thinking on the job?

• Your computer crashes and you lose all your email.

• An important out-of-town customer asks you to get him tickets to a big athletic event, and the team's website shows all tickets are sold.

• The only company car is in an accident, but it's needed for staff travel.

• The copier breaks down in the middle of making 200 copies of a report that must be ready for tomorrow's big meeting.

• The apartment your company has rented for an international coworker was sold by the owner, but the coworker won't be finished with the project for two more months.

• You learn that an immigrant worker who reports to you is being threatened with deportation because his working papers are not current.

• A client, who speaks broken English and has trouble interpreting your comments, asks for instructions on how to operate a tool.

• You discover that a piece of medical equipment is giving improper readings during patient medical tests.

• The competition is beating you on price, speed of delivery, and customer service.

• Clients owe your company a good deal of money, but everyone's so busy they don't have time to follow up on collections.

• Your most productive service person makes people feel uncomfortable by his intimidating manner.

• An inspector has downgraded your restaurant, saying you are not following safety and food preparation guidelines.