Tilt Tuesday #8 The Link Between Generativity and Creativity

Insights from the Tilt 365 Science Team

There was a time when cars, lightbulbs, and even the wheel had not yet been invented.  It was not a given that today’s tools were to be invented, but because of humanity’s collective creativity over the millennia, we now enjoy countless devices that simplify our lives and accelerate progress.

When a company is constantly churning out new, practical innovations for the betterment of society, we say that its workers are operating in the flow outcome of generativity.  In this post, we will briefly explore the link between generativity and creativity and demonstrate how creativity can help you be more generative.

When someone is generative, they are wholly engaged in their work and functioning in a state of flow while helping others.  Our creative potential is heightened in a state like this because we are focused on the task at hand and are not attending to inner distractions based on fear about the past or future. 

Generativity and life satisfaction go together, and creativity positively impacts this relationship.  When we engage in creative pursuits, we accrue benefits in:

1. Identity,

2. Spirituality, 

3. Calming, and

4. Recognition from others.  

Gains in any of these four domains can drive generativity via an appreciation of the impact we have on future generations.  Also, creativity, by definition, is something that society appreciates in one capacity or another.  In this sense, it overlaps with generativity, so anyone wanting to be increasingly generative can do so by engaging in creative pursuits. 

Tune in to our upcoming blog to learn about innovation, transparency, and their relationship with generativity!

Relevant Quotes

"Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought." 
― Albert Einstein  

“There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.” 
― Edward De Bono

“The creative process is a process of surrender, not control.” 
― Bruce Lee