The Creativity Formula

Creativity is essential for the long term success of any leader, any team, and especially any organization. Many say that data is the new currency, the new oil, and in some regard that is true. But data may be useless if you lack the creativity needed to harness and make meaningful insights from it.

When we think of gurus or experts in the field of creativity, many names come to mind, including Sir Ken Robinson, Edward de Bono, David Eagleman, and David Kelley. Rarely do we hear the name Ruth Noller.

Ruth Noller was a Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Creative Studies at Buffalo State College. Noller was a mathematician, and she used her background in math to develop a symbolic equation for creativity.

C = ƒa(KIE)

Noller’s equation, where ‘C’ stands for creativity, is a function of the following:

• K (knowledge) - obtained through our life experiences.

• I (imagination) - ones ability to generate ideas or make connections.

• E (evaluation) - examining the advantages and disadvantages of a particular idea or situation.

Let’s look at the three elements of the formula: knowledge, imagination, and evaluation. Children are naturally stronger imagination, and weaker in knowledge and evaluation. Adults are weaker in imagination, and stronger in knowledge and evaluation.

It can be a struggle to get the balance right. This stresses the importance of having a diverse team, and a manager that is capable of encouraging everyone to participate and share their ideas.

I believe the most important part of Noller’s creativity equation is the small letter “a”, which represents the crucial need for a positive attitude. Without a positive attitude, there can be no creativity.

There’s a lot we can learn from Noller’s creativity equation, and I hope more leaders, organizational developers, and coaches begin to use it.