Three TED Talks to make you more creative
Creativity is a highly sought-after skill in the workplace. Watch these videos to discover how to cultivate it.
In brief
- Creative thinking skills are increasingly valued within the workplace.
- Improved innovation, adaptability and problem solving are just some of the outcomes linked to creativity.
- These three TED Talks offer insights into the traits shared by creative people, plus some of the barriers to creativity.
Almost three-quarters of companies involved in the World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report 2023, agreed that creative thinking is increasing in relevance and importance. It’s also one of the key focus areas for workplace development.
Creative thinking offers significant benefits. It gives rise to new ideas, enabling businesses to innovate and keep pace with – or ahead of – change. It can also help businesses identify new ways of working and find unique solutions to challenges.
So, how can you cultivate this essential skill? These three TED Talks offer some helpful clues.
1. The Surprising Habits of Original Thinkers
Number of views: 22,410,333
Run time: 15 mins
What it’s about: Organisational psychologist Adam Grant explores how creative people come up with great ideas. Grant shares insights into how procrastination, questioning norms, and embracing failure are traits of ‘originals’ – those who dream up new ideas and take action. This talk reveals how habits often seen as weaknesses can be leveraged as strengths.
2. The Trick to Regaining Your Childlike Wonder
Number of views: 477,455
Run time: 8 mins
What it’s about: Filmmaker and actor Zach King explains how adults can rediscover a sense of wonder by shedding preconceived notions. He highlights how thinking beyond assumptions allows us to view the world in new ways, fostering creativity.
3. How Burnout Makes Us Less Creative
Number of views: 874,717
Run time: 5 mins
What it’s about: Digital anthropologist Rahaf Harfoush discusses how traditional productivity systems fail to encourage creativity. She argues that balancing creativity with productivity requires downtime and introspection, emphasising that humans are not machines.
*Viewing figures correct as of 15 January 2025.
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