Andrew Nachison once said that “The real disruptors of the next decade won’t be companies, but people – creative entrepreneurs, opportunists who are transforming the global economy; professionals scattered around the globe, connecting and working from anywhere to build businesses and solve problems everywhere’’.
Creativity and radical approach to business has become a necessity. This global pursuit for innovation and creativity is affecting how companies recruit. Previously, the yardsticks were personality, competencies and character, but in the 21st Century, innovative thinking is priceless. This innovative disposition is not just a function of background or academics, but of paradigms and worldview.
Think of great countries today that are making efforts to build a culture where students can think creatively given embedded innovative thinking in curricula and instructional system designs. By this, everyone is being encouraged to tap into their creative potentials, understanding that creativity, the most important human resource of all is not for a chosen few. Without creativity, there would be no progress.
Education should not necessarily be about conforming to societal expectations, but reforming society and driving the industry through innovation. Education ought to be about progressive risk-taking. Every student must learn that they have the right to be wrong; the right to question everything they are told. When they find themselves in the workplace they will bring more value to the system because their cognitive experiences have been broadened and deepened by unending ‘quest’ and innovative-thinking.
We also need to foster a culture of creativity in the workplace. We need to create a culture that supports creative-thinking because much of the future is dependent on it and it is the only way to transform the old and build businesses that truly solve problems and add value to society.