Creativity in Talent Development

Introduction

As Asa walks around the room, she points to a drinking glass and says, “frog.” In the two-minute exercise, she continues her task as she points to a sticky note and misnames it, “cannibal.” As Asa’s pace picks up, she traverses the conference room where she finds the usual appointments (whiteboards, flip charts, markers, desks, notebooks, chairs). She rapidly points to each object and proudly misnames it, “cucumber, tall-pine, avocado, chicken, kite, and gullet.” Her mood is light; she’s enjoying herself. It’s funny.

Tim is next—in the same two-minute exercise, under the same instructions. But he’s not bouncing around the room like ...