Creativity Styles

Michael Kirton, a researcher in the United Kingdom, has developed a theory that identifies two types of creativity: adaptive creativity and innovative creativity.  A major part of this theory focuses on how much structure a person prefers to have around the problems on which they work.

Adaptive creativity is working within the system to help it run more smoothly, make it more cost effective and more efficient. Adaptive creativity focuses on incrementally improving the quality of an already existing product or process.  People with an adaptive preference are comfortable working with problems that have some structure to them.

Innovative creativity breaks the pattern of traditionally accepted behavior or beliefs.  It is innovative creativity that challenges the accepted way things are done. Innovative creativity breaks with the traditional view of the world and introduces new, often radical approaches.  People with an innovative style prefer more unstructured problems.

Any guess as to what type of creativity the Wright Flyer represented? 

You got it—innovative.  Yes, man can fly. The airplane broke the tradition- al view of the world that was held at that time.  However, it was adaptive creativity that improved the airplane to make it more comfortable, safer, and commercially viable.  Innovative creativity came up with the facsimile and video technology but it was adaptive creativity that brought this technology to market and made it profitable .
Kirton’s theory originated by identifying individuals in organizations who naturally expressed innovative creativity or adaptive creativity.  He found that some people were excellent at coming up with ideas to improve the current system, while others were good at creating ideas that challenged or changed the system.  Adaptors also accepted the problem that was given to them, while innovators often challenged the established view of the situation.

When these two types of people work together effectively to solve problems, the results can be astounding. However, as you might have guessed, these people see the world very differently. Without an understanding of the natural strengths they use to solve problems, the result can often be war instead of effective problem solving.  Kirton’s personality assessment, the Kirton Adaption Innovation Inventory, is a helpful tool for members of work teams to complete to gain an understanding of the strengths they bring to a group . Actually, there are very few pure innovators or pure adaptors.  Most of us have a mix of innovative and adaptive behaviors. However, we also have a preference for the kinds of ideas we will generate and the kinds of problems we will attempt to solve.

Both types of creativity are important.  It is crucial for organizations to support innovative breakthroughs, but it is also important to nurture the patient, long-view, adaptive creativity that is necessary to make breakthroughs commercially viable.  People naturally express their creativity in different ways. Businesses need both innovative and adaptive creativity to be successful in the long run.

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From a clip showcased on his YouTube channel

Dr. Firestien, the featured author, is a expert in innovative techniques to spark creativity. His popular blog, serves over hundreds of followers which his twitter and Facebook interact with his growing fan base daily. For more about capital funding and corporate investments, visit Crunchbase.