Developing Creativity for MDPCC

Stephanie Vehnon
Oct 4, 2019
3 min read

Updated: Nov 25, 2019

**MDPCC = Mixed Doubles Provincial Curling Championship

Components of Creativity

In the MA Creative Events Management at Falmouth University, we were introduced to the Three Components of Creativity (Figure 1). The article by Terese Amabile, "How to Kill Creativity", was eye-opening, well written, and explains the three components of creativity well. #worththeread #howtokillcreativity

Perspective & Intrinsic Value

This article made me realize that there are varying perspectives of what creativity is, and how intrinsic values and knowledge play into creativity. Intrinsic values are those that internally (within ourselves) motivate us, as related to extrinsic values, which are those that motivate us as external sources (ie. money).

During a meeting with the General Manager (GM) and Chief Umpire for the MDPCC that I am Co-Chairing, it was apparent that the opportunity to express creativity was limited. The response from the GM was: "this is how we have always done it" or " We CAN do that....BUT it will be a lot of work". The intrinsic motivation was not present.

This meeting started to drive my intrinsic motivation and creativity.....

During this meeting, all that was going through my head was:

"I can do this differently. We can create a better event than 'we have always done it this way'".

I believe intrinsic motivation is a way to bring life to events, which will help to become a better Event Manager, as intrinsic motivation stems from passion.

Resources to help Create Creative Change

There are many resources to help with creativity. The Creative Problem Solving (CPS) Learner's Model (Figure 2.) is such a great starting point. It can help lead me down many avenues, where I can utilize many sources.

Figure 2. Creative Problem Solving(CPS) Model (MindTools, 2018)

Further resources such as the 5 Why's, Mind Maps, and Hurson's Production Thinking Model help clarify and ideate plans, and increase engagement and creativity for the Provincial Mixed Doubles Curling event.

While choosing sub-Chairs, we have an opportunity to encourage new and creative approaches, possibly using the CPS Model and Hurson's Production Thinking Model. It is also an opportunity to engage younger Curling Club Members, bringing in new perspectives and creative resources.

Challenge: This model encourages me to use and engage new resources, BUT it does not include human behaviour and personalities. Combing the CPS Model and Three Components of Creativity would potentially be powerful. I envision it will be a challenge to work through this process with some of the people we currently have working in the Curling Club.

Creating Creative Change:

To further develop my creativity I will try to:

seek alternative ways to solve problems
venture out of the norm, and consider new ideas and approaches
take risks
utilize some of the creative resources and models
engage new people in the process

I will utilize the CPS Model to facilitate a discussion with the sub-Chairs and ask the 5 Why's to encourage obtaining bottom-line solutions and new approaches to planning curling events. Applying this model will be a challenge, and will likely have push-back , in turn will not help to build creativity - but I can open the discussion and try!

I will try and encourage at least one new volunteer to get involved. I will persist, and challenge myself to apply the creative models, and fight the mentality of" we have always done it this way"because how can we do better, if we never try something new? Without trying something new, we may stay in neutral, or even start heading in reverse.

SV

Up Next: Social & Cultural Impacts of MDPCC

BLOG BIBLIOGRAPHY:

ELMANSY, Rafiq. 2015. Problem Solving Using Hurson's Production Thinking Model. [Online Article]. Available at: https://www.designorate.com/problem-solving-hursons-production-thinking-model/ [accessed 04 October 2019]

Figure 1. Amabile, Teresa. (1998) Innovation. How to Kill Creativity. Harvard Business Review, [online] September-October Issue. Available at: https://hbr.org/1998/09/how-to-kill-creativity [accessed 30 September 2019.

Figure 2. Mind Tools Inc. (2018). Creative Problem Solving [Image] Available at: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/creative-problem-solving.htm [accessed 29 September 2019].

Mind Tools Inc. (2018). '5 Whys' Mind Tools Inc. Available at:

https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_5W.htm [accessed 29 September 2019].