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There is an innate power in creativity, a source of creative intelligence (CQ) that drives the passion of inspiration forward, engaging those that touch into that source to expand an emerging and evolutionary future into existence. This intrinsic level of creativity is a natural source of inspiration, an intricate design process known to many innovators and artists who are empowered, engaged and who emerge from their reservoir with an abundance of creative outcomes. Creative Intelligence implies a resource of consciousness that can be accessed deep within ourselves, insights from "inside the box" of identifiable characteristics and traits that we believe makes up who we are. Join me in this conversation about creative intelligence and explore several “keys” that I have shared in this article for you to tap into your unlimited intrinsic wellspring of creative potentials.
When we think of highly creative individuals who have greatly impacted our society, perhaps changed the way in which we live and left their mark on history, we think of people like Alexander Graham Bell, Nikola Tesla, Marie Curie, and of course technological gurus like Steve Jobs. Most people see these individuals as having unique special talent and perhaps as being a genius in delivering those unique gifts.
My personal journey as an artist and my investigations into creative potentials has opened understandings as to what possibly lies beneath some of those creative outcomes. These wondrous examples in our history demonstrate a high level of intrinsic creativity and a partnership with source. They also share a common theme of sensory methodologies in accessing their insights. Creative Intelligence, as a source of inspiration, is common to all of us, a natural design that calls forward creative genius and evolutionary outcomes. The important question is: are we listening?
Consider for a moment that everyone has that level of intrinsic creative potential, a circle of inspired communication, a source of Creative Intelligence (CQ) that surrounds them. This source reveals itself in sensory ways such as innovative thoughts, visualizations, insightful dreams and reflective experiences and understandings. These sensory insights provide a look into the depth of creative intelligent design that makes up human individual consciousness. I believe that we all have access to this level of creative potential. Some individuals may have run the four minute mile and crossed the finish line on creative potentials, but we are all in the race!
Creative Intelligence is an inspired complex system of communication, an innate language that speaks though every individual, group and societal expression. In my personal experience, CQ is a self-communication system and this system is always on. It resonates with my environment, shifts with my thoughts and actions and provides the most amazing guidance as to best potentials to engage with on my journey of evolution. The design graph shown below demonstrates a sample of the multiple steps in the creative intrinsic design process. As you can see, there are several key choices that individuals can make in taking an inspired concept into fruition, but the first step is awareness.
Note. From Lloyd, Norma, 2014, The Nature of Creative Intelligence,
Retrieved from, http://www.centerforcreativeintelligence.org/services.html
As an intrinsic creative process CQ is a spontaneous experience, a presence and an allowing of creative potential to come forward. This sensory information tends to emerge with unknown unique patterns, evoking intuitive attraction, calling for expression and reflecting in return a great personal fulfillment. CQ as a completed process can be a powerful self-realized state of creative excellence and is frequently accompanied by exaltation! Nikola Tesla, a genius in CQ communication through visualization, stated, "I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success. Such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, everything." (O'Shei, 2008, p.5)
People with high levels of creative intelligence are exceptional in utilizing sensory tools such as visualization, dreams, walks in nature, music and surround themselves with a creatively empowered environment to supercharge their potentials! Being highly creatively intelligent may involve extremes, such as Sir Dr. NakaMats, who patented the floppy disk in 1952 and has patented more than 3,300 inventions total during his 74 years of life. His creative secret: many of his greatest ideas hit him when he was close to drowning. “To starve the brain of oxygen,” says the man, "you must dive deep and allow the water pressure to deprive the brain of blood. Zero-point-five seconds before death, I visualize an invention." The Japanese inventor then jots his idea down on an underwater notepad and swims back to the surface. (Steffani, 2014) Or perhaps, a more simple approach like British Playwright W. Somerset Maugham, who had to face a blank wall before the words would come (any other view, he felt, was too distracting). (Currey, 2013)
As an important part of the educational learning experience in creativity, we have inspirational stories in each academic field, those who have revolutionized the way things are accomplished and who have demonstrated exceptional skills and talents. These established pathways weave in and out of each discipline across the academic system. Each field has their own, predominantly extrinsic process, a predetermined pattern for performing as a creative individual. Our changes in technology alone and business leaders such as Steve Jobs, powerfully demonstrate the creative nature of the human species and the realization of those potentials in business success. We as a society certainly value the outcome that creativity has to offer, but why then do we not see more creative genius talent present in our organizations? Are we providing environments that enhance creative intelligence in the workplace?
Our creative challenge today is to set aside the patterns of what we know about the creative process and seek understanding on the commonalities of individuals, corporations and specialized fields that exhibit the highest degree of intrinsic creativity. We would benefit by elevating the dance of awareness, the recognition of innate inspired potentials and the engagement of an environment that encourages greater access. Creative Intelligence is an intrinsic design process that requires recognition, identity and value. There is a necessity for expanded heart and "gut feeling" type education in the creative process. We have so much more scientific information today on the significance of emotional and sensory attributes and the impact they have on physiological balance in the heart and brain. We have immense possibilities of creative potentials to gain by investing in an environment that fosters both aspects of creativity.
According to Peter Seidler, a recognized author in Business Week and HR Matters, "If we start with the assumption that we are intrinsically creative and have access to great internal resources, then it follows that the only real difference between these two states – ordinary mind and an actualized creative state - is that in the actualized state we have complete confidence in our intrinsic creativity and resourcefulness. Think of the power in that!" (Seidler, 2011)
The CQ Journey
As a Business and Clinical professional my application of creativity had always been well recognized. When I began to create as an artist though, my insights into creative intelligence and the depth of spontaneous access to potentials greatly expanded. Not only was each visual art piece a gifted surprise, but the tapestry of circumstances that brought it about created a personal transformational experience. The revelation on how the images evoked emotion on others provided great inspiration as well. Creative Intelligence is a fluid journey, an evolution of source in partnership with self. Accessing Creative Intelligence involves taking an introspective journey, engaging in a dance of awareness and being flexible about establishing a partnership with one’s own nature of creative reality.
While I am sure there are many roads that lead to the promised land of creative potentials, there are several key factors that I have learned that are really simplistic and that can accelerate the process. First, the pathway is one that is lined with good thoughts, especially about unknown potentials and possibilities of success. Leave your expectations and habitual thinking outside the door. You can always pick it back up when you are finished. Second, emotions are very significant in creating an imaginal environment that can dance with flirtations from the universe. Pretend to play and get in the mood. Third, be grateful and appreciate for all you have. Visualize a loved one, a beautiful sunrise or a happy memory. The gateway to creative intelligence is child-like, reflecting joys of self-realization!
When viewing my abstract art images, the most common question people ask me is, "How do you create this?" The truth is I am in partnership with my source of inspired expression, and each step of the creative process is unknown, yet seems to flow effortlessly into place. Each resulting image is a surprise and emerges with excitement. They are birthed because I am willing to be in the spectacular dance of creative intelligence. This ability to be in expression of CQ has an electrical charge. I sense a connection, and it feels exciting, attracting my attention. The resulting image provides an amazing reflection of self-fulfillment in its realization. This art image is called, "Journey Home". When I ask people what they see in the image they typically describe a connection to spirituality and peace and a feeling of harmony. CQ in my experience is a self-partnership with that aspect of emotional balance.
Excellence in leadership and organizational learning means incorporating an environment and culture that fosters intrinsic creativity. Several supportive scientific studies are emerging that help to define and broaden our perceptions and importance of emotions in leadership in designing intelligent conversations with employees that foster creativity. So, as we move forward, let’s create a new stage, perhaps an improvisational theatre, where just for few moments in time the boundaries of old patterns and habits can be set aside and we can create something, an awesome unexpected potential from a totally unknown place. It just might be the creatively intelligent thing to do!
Keys to Accessing CQ
Below are several methods from my course workbook, "The Nature of Creative Intelligence". These exercises help expand your CQ potentials. Enjoy!
You are on your way!
References
Currey, Mason. (October 2013). Daily Rituals. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/oct/05/daily-rituals-creative-minds-mason-currey
Emmanuel, Naina. (November, 2013). 20 Alexander Graham Bell Quotes That Will Construct Your Views, Retrieved from http://quoteshunter.com/20-alexander-graham-bells-constructive-quotes
O'Shei, Tim. (2008). Marconi and Tesla: Pioneers of Radio Communication, Published by Myreportlinks.Com, ISBN 159845076X, p.5
Seidler, Peter. (April, 2011). Recognizing and Cultivating Intrinsic Creativity. Retrieved from http://www.hr-matters.info/feat2011/2011.apr.RecognisingAndCultivatingIntrinsicCreativity.htm