Creativity

Creative thinking has often been vital in my customer service and public-facing job opportunities. For example, during my time in ministry, I had to think creatively to develop a social media plan that was consistent with my organization's brand while also aligning with my unique style and perspectives. Every social media coordinator brings something a bit different to the table, and creatives need to find a balance between their abilities and style and the needs of the organization they are working for or with. It is vital when it comes to visual and graphic media to create services that are both unique and aesthetically pleasing, that match the brand without being boring and repetitive. 

In customer service, I frequently need to think creatively to ensure my guests have a great experience with my company. Sometimes, they have a simple question about how best to be accommodated, and it requires some creative thinking to meet their need in that moment. Sometimes, a product or service has failed in a way that is hard to fix, or an experience has left my guest feeling like they had a bad day. Sometimes, in customer service, one may be presented with a problem that cannot be fixed, either due to company policy or because of a deeper reason. Company policy has to be followed, but flexibility and creativity can help meet unique needs. Empathy and creativity often work together, and creative thinking about what one has the resources and ability to do and how the issue the person in front of you is facing can be fixed, sometimes allows a problem to be solved before the guest approaches you. Thinking through potential issues and looking out for trouble spots, and doing a bit of creative thinking about how to fix them, can also solve problems before they occur and make the people you are taking care of feel special and appreciated. 

Having to think outside of the box requires creative thinking. For me, my most recent instances of creative thinking have come from having to think outside of the box to ensure someone has a good day. As someone with two brothers with autism, there is a great deal of creative thinking that I have to do to improve how their needs are met. For example, not too long ago, one of my brothers was very nervous because he was going to visit a potential work site for one of his work programs and was refusing to go because the day of the month was his favorite number and he was nervous about noises or other environmental factors that might happen- something that made sense to him, but not to anyone else. Everyone was at a loss for how to handle this, because it was the only day his coach and the business were both free. However, I thought for a minute and then asked why we didn’t just take him one-on-one the day before so he could scope the place out and get comfortable beforehand. This wasn’t something we had ever tried and for some reason, no one had thought to let him get comfortable with the location a few days before, but because I suggested this, my mom was able to take him to the location and let him scope it out before his meeting, which made him much more comfortable. This situation was solved creatively, despite requiring no art or anything that would normally be seen as creative, because it required a bit of out-of-the-box thinking combined with personal experience of my brother and his needs to solve. In the end, it made my brother’s anxiety better and helped accommodate a need that otherwise would have just been forgotten about. This kind of creativity is often ignored but should never be forgotten about. 

Creativity is important in situations where we do not have a set answer. Sometimes, we can have thoroughly considered every potential eventuality, but still face an issue or situation we did not account for. Creativity is important because it makes those situations easier to handle and also less stressful. Often, I respond to stress with creativity, or at least, try to. For example, I try coloring or crocheting when I am overwhelmed, and I often connect to my faith through creativity. Creativity can also be a way of thinking- constantly asking myself, “how do I do this better?” “How do I make this special?” “How do I learn from the last time?” and “What can be improved?”. I want to have a creative approach to life, and seeing those opportunities provokes creativity.  

Knowing that everyone can be creative is powerful because it opens up more possibilities for innovation, creativity, and progress. Creative thinking happens all over the place- even the brightest scientific minds had to think outside of the norms to come up with some of the most world-changing inventions. When we see ourselves as capable of creativity, we give ourselves the freedom to step into new potential and possibilities that can help us and others. 

In my time at UMass Global, I explored new ways of thinking and new concepts of creativity. I got to take creative writing classes, which inspired me to try new forms of creativity and to see the opportunities for creativity. I also got to explore career possibilities that I would not have considered without a bit of creative thinking, which has opened my eyes to new pathways I could take in the future. Absorbing new ideas and information and then applying them to my own life and decisions has been a powerful effect of my time in university, and one of the most important outcomes of a college education. Knowing information is great, but personal growth and new opportunities are the most valuable part of any experience, in my opinion.