The Creative Mindset: A Review

“Creativity is the power that generates innovation.”

At the beginning of The Creative Mindset, authors Jeff and Staney DeGraff define the interplay between these two processes. Creativity is coming up with a great idea; innovation is making it happen. Both are necessary to impact our world. In this book, the emphasis is on developing a mindset and the skills for creative thinking that will result in innovative ideas that one wishes to pursue.

Since I have taught seminary classes involving creativity and innovation for several years, I am pleased to find this “toolbox” of tools and techniques to enhance the creative process. The authors’ process is clear and easy to grasp:

Clarify--getting the challenge right;
Replicate--mimicking and reapplying ideas;
Elaborate--multiplying ideas by adding new ones;
Associate--connecting ideas with analogies;
Translate--creating stories from ideas;
Evaluate--selecting the best ideas.

The process outlined is not necessarily unique, but it is reinforced here through the inclusion of stories of creative persons as well as some great tools under each topic. There are strategies, examples, and worksheets galore. A discussion guide is provided at the end of the book to facilitate use with groups and work teams.

One example especially hit home for me. In the chapter titled “Evaluation,” the DeGraffs provide a story about a museum that was attempting to rethink its work. They write:

“The directors understood that there were limits to its current loyal benefactors, patrons and visitors--and more important, that given the older age of those supporters, the museum needed young generations on board to maintain the longevity of the artwork and the culture around it.”

This sounds so much like the faith-based communities with which I work. They realize that the clientele and the culture are changing, but how do they get the content--the Gospel--to connect with and receive the support of a new generation? Unfortunately, “the promising idea [identified at the museum] never gained traction.” The good news is that the idea was implemented in another setting.

The book spotlights the kind of creative thinking that is needed in all areas of life today. I readily recommend it to anyone who is seeking to generate new, creative, and innovative approaches in their setting.

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