Dan Academy Interview

TRANSFORMATION | CREATIVITY with NIR BASHAN

Nir Bashan has taught thousands of leaders and individuals around the globe how to harness the power of creativity to improve profitability, increase sales, and ultimately create more meaning in their work. He has spent the last two decades working on a formula to codify creativity. That formula is not only found in his book (McGraw/Hill 2020) The Creator Mindset. In our interview, he gives us a glimpse at the important role of creativity during the current pandemic and shows us three key steps to harness our creativity.

HOW CAN OUR SOCIETY AND ECONOMY BENEFIT DESPITE THE CURRENT CRISIS MODE? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR CREATIVITY?

Creativity sees what can be, not what is. And that is a very powerful tool. Imagining a world not bound by current limitation is what creativity is all about. It will manifest differently for every industry. For retail, it might mean a shift to curbside pick up, stores as local distribution hubs or other unique and creative solutions. Your industry is no different. What can you be doing creatively today to not just survive, but thrive?

In every crisis there is opportunity – and that is what creativity can bring.

WILL THE CRISIS IMPACT THE FUTURE OF OUR SOCIETY AND BUSINESS? AND IF SO, HOW?

I think that most of us have little experience with hard times anymore! If you are too young to remember the gulf war, 9/11, the cold war or even the last recession, then these times can be scary and this problem with COVID-19 can seem insurmountable. But rest assured, it’s not. Creativity is one of the only tools humanity has turned to time and time again – from prehistoric times to today – which will help us conquer whatever crisis we face now.

HOW DO WE TACKLE THE FUTURE NOW? WHAT CAN HELP? IS CREATIVITY THE GAME CHANGER?

It’s important to remember 3 things when trying to emerge into the future post crisis:

1. Nothing Lasts Forever.
This situation will not last forever and your flexibility – especially creatively – will determine your future ability to succeed or fail.

2. The Nature of Professionalism is Changing.
People working from home used to be a novel approach. But it just might become the new normal. I have worked with clients for years and only recently discovered they have kids! Because they are working from home and I saw kids in the background. There is humanity here to uncover – and deep human connections only creativity can bring – and in doing so a wealth of creative opportunity.

3. Don’t Forget Creativity.
The ability to be creative is something we are all born with. Just because times are tough is no reason to abandon what we instinctively know. You can solve any problem – especially in crisis – with creativity. Now is the most important time to shift from an analytical mindset and into a creator mindset.