The Myths of Creativity: The Truth About How Innovative Companies and People Generate Great Ideas

What causes us to be creative in one moment and void in the next? What makes someone more or less creative than his or her peers? Where do our flashes of creative insight come from, and how can we generate more of them?

We tend to think of creativity in terms reminiscent of the ancient muses: divinely inspired, unpredictable, and bestowed upon a lucky few. Unfortunately, mythology isn′t much help when you′re challenged to be creative on demand. When you are charged with developing new ideas, conventional wisdom will only hold you back. How can you ensure you get past common myths about creativity to design truly innovative strategies?

The Myths of Creativity demystifies the processes that drive innovation. Based on the latest research into how creative individuals and firms succeed, David Burkus corrects the mistaken ideas that stunt innovative thinking, such as:

The Eureka Myth: New ideas come from hard work, not a quick spark The Lone Creator Myth: Creativity takes well–conceived teamwork, not a single person′s genius The Mousetrap Myth: No innovation is brilliant enough to sell itself, and a great idea isn′t the end of the process, but the beginning

By debunking these and other widespread misconceptions, David Burkus shows how to embrace a real, practical approach to finding the best new ideas, projects, processes, and programs.

For anyone who struggles with creativity, or who makes excuses for delaying the work of innovation, The Myths of Creativity will help overcome the creative obstacles to finding new ideas.

For more on LDRLB, please visit www.LDRLB.org or on Twitter via @LDRLB.

1 The Creative Mythology 1

2 The Eureka Myth 17

3 The Breed Myth 33

4 The Originality Myth 49

5 The Expert Myth 67

6 The Incentive Myth 87

7 The Lone Creator Myth 105

8 The Brainstorming Myth 125

9 The Cohesive Myth 141

10 The Constraints Myth 159

11 The Mousetrap Myth 177

Notes 195

Acknowledgments 203

About the Author 205

Index 207

David Burkus is the founder and editor of LDRLB, an online publication that shares insights from research on leadership, innovation, and strategy. He is assistant professor of management at Oral Roberts University and also a regular columnist for 99U and The Creativity Post. He lives outside Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his wife and son.

For more information, please visit www.davidburkus.com or on Twitter via @davidburkus.

An engaging book that makes its case in good, clear language [Burkus] forces us to challenge some widely held assumptions.
Morgen Witzel, The Financial Times

Outlines how anyone especially entrepreneurs can embrace a practical approach to finding the best kind of mojo for new projects, processes and programs.
Entrepreneur.com (selected as a Best Business Book to Get Cozy With This Fall )

We may no longer literally worship the Muses, but the myths surrounding creativity continue to delude us. In this smart and urgent book, David Burkus explodes these myths and replaces them with the scientific results of modern research on creativity and innovation.
Daniel H. Pink, author, To Sell is Human and Drive

Creative potential is all too often held captive by misconceptions. Burkus tackles the myths head on and digs into the true underpinnings of creative insight. It turns out that great ideas are within your grasp as soon as you take the reins. Read this book to free yourself of the myths and assumptions that burden your true creative potential.
Scott Belsky, author, Making Ideas Happen and cofounder & CEO, BEHANCE

Through rigorous research and engaging stories, Burkus debunks the myths of creativity and illuminates a creative process that makes ingenuity accessible to all. If you seek a more innovative company, The Myths of Creativity is a brilliant find.
Liz Wiseman, author, Multipliers, and founder, The Wiseman Group

David Burkus is an important new voice, both as a scholar and storyteller, as well as a commentator of the emerging GenEntrepreneur in America.
Peter Sims, author, Little Bets, and founder, BLK SHP

The Myths of Creativity speaks the truth.  The processes, environments, and organizational structures that foster creativity, as well as the obstacles that inhibit innovation, are laid bare. David Burkus uncovers the hidden elements which have been at the core of Continuum′s innovation process, driving us to find better answers to the biggest questions.
Gianfranco Zaccai, president, chief design officer, and founder, Continuum

You must embrace your creative ability in order to thrive in today′s marketplace. David Burkus swiftly and effectively debunks the myths that limit your creative firepower.
Todd Henry, author, The Accidental Creative