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The Art of Creative Thinking: How to Be Innovative and Develop Great Ideas
New ideas help businesses gain an advantage over their rivals. Employees who generate these new ideas -- who practice the art of creative thinking -- are one of a company's greatest assets. The Art of Creative Thinking shows the reader practical ways of becoming a more creative thinker. Each succinct chapter is built around one core idea which is then developed and illustrated. End-of-chapter key points summarize the main points. The Art of Creative Thinking shows you how to: develop your understanding of the creative process; overcome barriers to creating new ideas; broaden your vision; build on new ideas; develop a creative attitude; become more confident as a creative thinker.
133 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
54 people are currently reading
645 people want to read
About the author
John Adair
174 books84 followersJohn Eric Adair is a British academic who is a leadership theorist and author of more than forty books (translated into eighteen languages) on business, military and other leadership.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 26, 2010
I do not often judge books so harshly but this book was very far from fulfilling the promise in its title. It was full of empty, mostly cheesy sentences about creativity all over. Let me give you just one example (from a random page that I happen to be looking at right now; there should be better ones if you search for it):
"If you decide to take a creative approach to life it does change your perspective. You will seek out first some 'given' ideas about yourself. What are your distinctive strengths? These are not easy questions to answer. Self-discovery lasts a lifetime, and even then it may not be completed. Seek to identify what you are born to excel at, and make sure you are working in the right area."
Most of the book is written in this sort of vague, super cheesy I dare say, language. If this appeals to you, I apologize, but it provokes a strong negative reaction in me. The author, judging from a brief snippet of his life, seems to be in a position to lecture us about creative thinking, but he wastes the opportunity. I did not find much useful insight into creativity. I found a lot of quotes and some short stories (often just as vaguely written, lacking any detail, even names) about how something was invented; these were okay, definitely much better than the authors rambling. Perhaps it can serve as some inspiration to some folks, but a search on the internet would give you a lot of this kind of material. To me, the abundance of quotes and stories was further proof that the author either didn't have much to say about this topic, or doesn't know how to speak his mind. I found the author disrespectful of the reader and I felt my intelligence insulted. I hate being so harsh but this is what it was.
You would do much better to pick any random article on creativity from a respectable scientific psychological journal and read that instead of this book. If you still buy the book, please at least just read the key points at the end of each chapter, and not the whole book. That will be enough of a waste of your time.
"If you decide to take a creative approach to life it does change your perspective. You will seek out first some 'given' ideas about yourself. What are your distinctive strengths? These are not easy questions to answer. Self-discovery lasts a lifetime, and even then it may not be completed. Seek to identify what you are born to excel at, and make sure you are working in the right area."
Most of the book is written in this sort of vague, super cheesy I dare say, language. If this appeals to you, I apologize, but it provokes a strong negative reaction in me. The author, judging from a brief snippet of his life, seems to be in a position to lecture us about creative thinking, but he wastes the opportunity. I did not find much useful insight into creativity. I found a lot of quotes and some short stories (often just as vaguely written, lacking any detail, even names) about how something was invented; these were okay, definitely much better than the authors rambling. Perhaps it can serve as some inspiration to some folks, but a search on the internet would give you a lot of this kind of material. To me, the abundance of quotes and stories was further proof that the author either didn't have much to say about this topic, or doesn't know how to speak his mind. I found the author disrespectful of the reader and I felt my intelligence insulted. I hate being so harsh but this is what it was.
You would do much better to pick any random article on creativity from a respectable scientific psychological journal and read that instead of this book. If you still buy the book, please at least just read the key points at the end of each chapter, and not the whole book. That will be enough of a waste of your time.
November 17, 2023
very basic ideas but they are good to read and apply to situations as almost a guideline
April 5, 2017
A good book with a practical tips. What i really love about this books is because of the relevance stories and quotes to support the steps.
John Adair remains distinguished in his own field and style. I like and read most of his books.
John Adair remains distinguished in his own field and style. I like and read most of his books.
November 4, 2020
Well, the principles here was rather general. How to boost your creativity, and the content
November 11, 2020
Such an extraordinary book , this book
opened doors of existed domains of life which I've never thought about.. This is chewed and digested type of book. Highly recommended
∆. . ‘Some books are to be tasted, others to beswallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested’,Francis Bacon put it more accurately. One page or even oneparagraph properly digested will be more fruitful than awhole volume hurriedly read. Or, as the film mogul, SamGoldwyn, said to a hopeful author, ‘I have read part of yourbook all the way though.’ When you come across significantparts – the passages that speak to you – it is worth remem-bering the counsel of the Book of Common Prayer: ‘Read, mark,learn, and inwardly digest.’
∆.No good book, any more than helpful words, can do anythingdecisive if the person concerned is not already preparedthrough quite invisible influences for a deeper receptivity andabsorption. For the only books that really influence us arethose for which we are ready, and which have gone a littlefurther down our particular path than we have yet goneourselves.
∆. The power of a good book is in the intimate relationship ofauthor and reader. It is a transaction that takes place in soli-tude. It invites you to think for yourself about some subjectaway from the context of other people. The author should beable to lead you to nourishing food or refreshing water, and,though he or she cannot make you drink, he or she shouldprovide you with plenty of encouragement to do so. Thesealmost unique conditions of inner dialogue enable a goodbook to reach deep into your consciousness.
opened doors of existed domains of life which I've never thought about.. This is chewed and digested type of book. Highly recommended
∆. . ‘Some books are to be tasted, others to beswallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested’,Francis Bacon put it more accurately. One page or even oneparagraph properly digested will be more fruitful than awhole volume hurriedly read. Or, as the film mogul, SamGoldwyn, said to a hopeful author, ‘I have read part of yourbook all the way though.’ When you come across significantparts – the passages that speak to you – it is worth remem-bering the counsel of the Book of Common Prayer: ‘Read, mark,learn, and inwardly digest.’
∆.No good book, any more than helpful words, can do anythingdecisive if the person concerned is not already preparedthrough quite invisible influences for a deeper receptivity andabsorption. For the only books that really influence us arethose for which we are ready, and which have gone a littlefurther down our particular path than we have yet goneourselves.
∆. The power of a good book is in the intimate relationship ofauthor and reader. It is a transaction that takes place in soli-tude. It invites you to think for yourself about some subjectaway from the context of other people. The author should beable to lead you to nourishing food or refreshing water, and,though he or she cannot make you drink, he or she shouldprovide you with plenty of encouragement to do so. Thesealmost unique conditions of inner dialogue enable a goodbook to reach deep into your consciousness.
December 7, 2020
A nice collection of quotes but not much more.
May 30, 2020
If you want to expand your horizons this is the book..
No matter how old you get , if you can keep the desire to be creative, you 're keeping the child in you alive.
TAKEAWAY POINTS IN THIS BOOK:
1) stepping stone of analogy
•Nature suggest models and principles for solution
• eg: Internet was inspired from spider webs.
2) Make familiar things strange and strange things familiar.
• when primitive people saw an aircraft as a bird. They actually made strange things familiar.
•we don't really think about things we know (or half-know) so we never get a chance to make things better which we already know.
3) widen your span of relevance.
• power to connect the seemingly unconnected
• transfer of technology from one field to another.
4) Practice serendipity
• Real magic of discovery doesn't lie in new landscapes but new eyes.
• Be adventurous
5) chance favours only prepared minds.
•way to interpret nature's signal or a clue and realise possible significance requires knowledge.
6) Listen for ideas.
Knowledge is for speaker
Wisdom is for listener
7) Make use of subconscious mind
•subconscious mind can analyze data which you never know that you had imbibed
8) lastly READ MORE BOOKS!
Reading is to mind what exercise is to body
Books are storehouses of ideas
They can expand your horizons , unleash your boundaries.
No matter how old you get , if you can keep the desire to be creative, you 're keeping the child in you alive.
TAKEAWAY POINTS IN THIS BOOK:
1) stepping stone of analogy
•Nature suggest models and principles for solution
• eg: Internet was inspired from spider webs.
2) Make familiar things strange and strange things familiar.
• when primitive people saw an aircraft as a bird. They actually made strange things familiar.
•we don't really think about things we know (or half-know) so we never get a chance to make things better which we already know.
3) widen your span of relevance.
• power to connect the seemingly unconnected
• transfer of technology from one field to another.
4) Practice serendipity
• Real magic of discovery doesn't lie in new landscapes but new eyes.
• Be adventurous
5) chance favours only prepared minds.
•way to interpret nature's signal or a clue and realise possible significance requires knowledge.
6) Listen for ideas.
Knowledge is for speaker
Wisdom is for listener
7) Make use of subconscious mind
•subconscious mind can analyze data which you never know that you had imbibed
8) lastly READ MORE BOOKS!
Reading is to mind what exercise is to body
Books are storehouses of ideas
They can expand your horizons , unleash your boundaries.
July 30, 2011
A light yet must-read for those who wants to dwell a little deeper into what creative thinking should entail. But the usual hoopla abounds, although the way John Adair does it is indeed refreshing. The keypoints ending each chapter is a good way for readers who would like to read just the salient points of each chapter, but I would recommend reading each and every chapter in its entirety to fully understand some of these 'art' forms, and perhaps to harvest those little nuggets of knowledge that he liberally spreads along the way.
December 8, 2011
Well, I actually red this book because of my job as a translator. The more I followed the story laid on the book the more I noded my head. Yes, It is an inspiring book; telling many things on how we optimize our ability of thinking creatively.
Then, I said to myself, "Aha, let's move on, Dude!!!!".....
Being a creative person is challenging, and it is a choice. Why won't you?!
Then, I said to myself, "Aha, let's move on, Dude!!!!".....
Being a creative person is challenging, and it is a choice. Why won't you?!
November 27, 2018
Short, punchy chapters that generally contain a seed of one idea. I literally took away one concept from the book but it was a good one so it worked for me. Bit dry reading but the chapters *are* ultra short, so you're not bored long. Perfect, if I can say this, bathroom reading. *cough*
July 21, 2011
Great for those who love fluff.
December 14, 2019
There is nothing in this book you would not already know. It is just a potpourri of popular opinions about creative thinking.
June 12, 2020
Oh man, if I could write a book about stating the obvious, I'd just paraphrase this book and name it "The Art of Thinking Creatively".
January 2, 2020
The Art of Creative Thinking by John Adair is must read for researchers. He touches every aspect of creative thinking with plenty of examples from diverse fields.
June 8, 2022
A book on creativity, with uncreatively the same title as a handful of other books, and of which the first nine chapters are all alike. All chapters are short, a mere 4 pages on average. It is in chapter 13 that the creativity paradigm is introduced and is called Depth Mind.
The book does not define what creativity is, just that it is important. Filled to the brim with quotes, which are meant as aphorisms on being creative, but also many generalisations to the point of being void of substance:
"You are more likely to be serendipitous if you have a wide span of attention and a broad range of interests."
How to achieve either of these is not delved into further.
Or this one:
"A person is judged not by his or her answers but by the questions they ask."
Ok, I guess we will have to take the author's word for it.
The boastful introduction on the author's accomplishments does not extend to the field of biology:
"A cold, white frost in spring kills off seeds and budding leaves."
That is not how it works - many plants need spring frost - and the analogy of how criticism subdues the flow of ideas is poorly worked out.
The book does not define what creativity is, just that it is important. Filled to the brim with quotes, which are meant as aphorisms on being creative, but also many generalisations to the point of being void of substance:
"You are more likely to be serendipitous if you have a wide span of attention and a broad range of interests."
How to achieve either of these is not delved into further.
Or this one:
"A person is judged not by his or her answers but by the questions they ask."
Ok, I guess we will have to take the author's word for it.
The boastful introduction on the author's accomplishments does not extend to the field of biology:
"A cold, white frost in spring kills off seeds and budding leaves."
That is not how it works - many plants need spring frost - and the analogy of how criticism subdues the flow of ideas is poorly worked out.
December 29, 2023
With this book, the author claims to want to provide a guide to improving creative thinking that not only helps you to understand the process, but also to overcome barriers to finding new ideas.
All in all, however, it is a collection of more or less meaningful quotations docked around the well-known phases of "preparation - synthesis - incubation - illumination - evaluation". Why the author artificially tries to invent new phases, overturn nomenclatures or deal with one and the same topic in up to four different chapters is beyond my understanding.
The core thesis is and remains that creativity is usually a product of the combination of elements that are often foreign in nature, which, when they meet the breeding ground of a broad and deep knowledge base, lead to new ideas and approaches. It also helps to give "incubation" the time it needs to let the subconsciousness do its job.
All in all, you can confidently spare yourself these 120 pages.
All in all, however, it is a collection of more or less meaningful quotations docked around the well-known phases of "preparation - synthesis - incubation - illumination - evaluation". Why the author artificially tries to invent new phases, overturn nomenclatures or deal with one and the same topic in up to four different chapters is beyond my understanding.
The core thesis is and remains that creativity is usually a product of the combination of elements that are often foreign in nature, which, when they meet the breeding ground of a broad and deep knowledge base, lead to new ideas and approaches. It also helps to give "incubation" the time it needs to let the subconsciousness do its job.
All in all, you can confidently spare yourself these 120 pages.
April 8, 2021
The Art of Creative Thinking provides clear, practical guidelines for developing your powers as a creative thinker. Using examples of entrepreneurs, authors, scientists and artists, John Adair illustrates a key aspect of creativity in each chapter. Stimulating and accessible, this book will help you to understand the creative process, overcome barriers to new ideas, learn to think effectively and develop a creative atttitude. It will help you to become more confident in yourself as a creative person. The Art of Creative Thinking gives you a fresh concept of creative thinking and it will guide you in developing your full potential as a creative thinker. New ideas are the seeds of new products and services, and this book will open the door to them.
December 11, 2019
Para todos aquellos creadores que a veces se quedan sin ideas o estancados, este es el libro ideal.
Los capítulos son cortos, con ideas claras y bien detalladas.
El autor trata el cómo mejorar nuestras habilidades y talentos creativos, cómo buscar aquel genio de nuestro interior que a veces se escapa. Además, diferencia el pensamiento de la creatividad, parece que están en la misma línea pero en realidad no.
Por consiguiente, el libro nos empuja hacia el esfuerzo diario de ser creativos y los cambios positivos que se tendrá cuando el foco este puesto en marcha.
Los capítulos son cortos, con ideas claras y bien detalladas.
El autor trata el cómo mejorar nuestras habilidades y talentos creativos, cómo buscar aquel genio de nuestro interior que a veces se escapa. Además, diferencia el pensamiento de la creatividad, parece que están en la misma línea pero en realidad no.
Por consiguiente, el libro nos empuja hacia el esfuerzo diario de ser creativos y los cambios positivos que se tendrá cuando el foco este puesto en marcha.
November 9, 2021
Okay! To be honest, I am not a fan of self-help books. However, at some point in my life, I needed to immerse myself in positive thinking without outright asking others to clean up my mental mess. This book did a fantastic job! It helped me in understanding how to arrange my thoughts and cleanse my mind. The only thing I expected from the author was to go further and provide additional information. More examples and explanations should be provided than quotes. The concept is sound and well-organized, however it needs to be refined.
January 29, 2021
I can't say that the book changed my life but it definitely motivated me to become more creative and also told me how. The author presents views and quotes of many renowned scientists, authors, inventors and artists and tells us about different aspects of creative thinking through them. The book was very easy to read as it was divided into perfect modules and the key-points section provided at the end of each chapter helped to recall various ideas conveyed in the concerned chapter.
December 5, 2021
How to Be Innovative and Develop Great Ideas by John Adair was a very interesting book to read. Each chapter was more compelling than the other. The fact that John Adair quoted many great inventors and gave tips & tricks in each chapter really made me more invested in the book. The exercises he integrated in the book also helped putting his words into action.
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December 9, 2021The Art of creative thinking by John Adair is a book that helped me to be creative. The book is dedicated to give you tips on how to get inspired and what you shouldn’t do when you want to get inspired. I was fascinated about the chapter “Make the strange familiar and the familiar strange” It inspired me to look differently at certain things.
January 16, 2023
The biggest thing that I took away from this, was the idea of drifting and ideas that come from the subconscious. It's something I've had happen many times, and didn't know it was a thing.
The structure of this book was a bit jarring with its short chapters and forced summaries at the end, but, it serves more like a dictionary and workbook than an actual novel. Overall decent.
The structure of this book was a bit jarring with its short chapters and forced summaries at the end, but, it serves more like a dictionary and workbook than an actual novel. Overall decent.
February 25, 2020
A starter book to creative thinking. Author surprises with how the same general daily thing has loads of creativity and how we miss to see it. It teaches to be aware about things and look the same thing from other angle. A
November 30, 2021
✍
This book includes many significant tips in the field of establishing and improving a growth mindset.
An Excerpt from this book:
"𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴, 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺."
𝘈𝘭𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘵 𝘌𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘪𝘯
📌
P 32
This book includes many significant tips in the field of establishing and improving a growth mindset.
An Excerpt from this book:
"𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴, 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺."
𝘈𝘭𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘵 𝘌𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘪𝘯
📌
P 32
September 10, 2024
Good read with gritty tools and techniques that can be useful for everyone. Each chapter is unique and can be read alone. Yet they are all linked by a common thread.
Can be read in one go and also be savoured as and when you need that spark of ingenuity.
Can be read in one go and also be savoured as and when you need that spark of ingenuity.
May 14, 2019
Short and sweet!
October 25, 2019
I gave this book 5 stars because when I read it back in 2014 it literary helped me land my first job. Thank you very much John Adair.
December 5, 2019
Quite mind numbing book. Liked reading the idea but most of it just a good refresh for memory from other books
February 21, 2020
This Book Helped me develop my ideation
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews