Out of Our Minds: Learning to Be Creative

"This really is a remarkable book. It does for human resources what Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring did for the environment. It makes you wonder why we insist on sustaining an education system that is narrow, partial, entirely inappropriate for the 21st century and deeply destructive of human potential when human beings have so much latent creative ability to offer. A brilliant analysis." Wally Olins, Founder, Wolff-Olins "Competitive advantage does not come from the Internet. It comes from leveraging creativity . All corporate leaders should read this book." Professor Richard Scase, author, Britain in 2010 "I thoroughly recommend this excellent book. Developing our latent creative ability is vital for personal and professional success. Ken Robinson gives us the signposts we need to achieve this." Sir John Harvey Jones "If you would like to start to unlock the inherent creativity that exists in every human being (including you), then start (you have to) by reading this book!" Simon Woodroffe, Founder, Yo Sushi, and former Entrepreneur of the Year "Ken Robinson’s is an original and creative mind. I can think of no better spokesperson on creativity. His views are as much directed to learning institutions as they are to industry. Out of Our Minds is a genuine challenge to complacency." Ruth Spellman, Chief Executive of Investors in People, UK "Sometimes a writer has an uncanny knack of sharply focusing something which up until then you had not seen in all its simplicity and brilliance. This book does that but at the next moment it makes connections never before imagined…Even the most obstinately prosaic and safe thinkers will be tempted out of their box by Ken Robinson’s ideas, theories and speculations. What’s more, he writes as he speaks, in a way that, magnetically and compulsively, is simply irresistible" Professor Tim Brighouse, Director of Education, Birmingham

Out of Our Minds There is a paradox. Throughout the world, companies and organisations are trying to compete in a world of economic and technological change that is moving faster than ever. They urgently need people who are creative, innovative and flexible. Too often they can’t find them. Why is this? What’s the real problem — and what should be done about it? Out of Our Minds answers three vital questions for all organisations that have a serious strategic interest in creativity and innovation.

• Why is it essential to promote creativity? Governments, companies and organisations are concerned as never before with promoting creativity and innovation. Why is this so essential? What’s the price of failure?
• Why is it necessary to develop creativity? Why do so many adults think they’re not creative (and not very intelligent)? Most children are buzzing with ideas. What happens to them as they grow up?
• What is involved in promoting creativity? Is everyone creative or just a select few? Can creativity be developed? If so, how? What are the benefits of success?

In Out of our Minds, Ken Robinson argues that organisations are trying to fix a downstream problem that originates in schools and universities. Most people leave education with no idea what their real abilities are. He says what all organisations, including those in education, can do immediately to recover people’s creative talents. Robinson also argues for radical changes in how we think about intelligence and human resources and in how we educate people to meet the extraordinary challenges of living and working in the 21st century.

'Ken Robinson writes brilliantly about the different ways in which creativity is undervalued and ignored in Western culture and especially in our educational systems.' JOHN CLEESE

'Out of Our Minds explains why being creative in today's world is a vital necessity. This is a book not to be missed. Read and rejoice.' KEN BLANCHARD

'If ever there was a time when creativity was necessary for the survival and growth of any organization, it is now. This book, more than any other I know, provides important insights on how leaders can evoke and sustain those creative juices.' WARREN BENNIS

Dr Ken Robinson is a leading force in the development of creativity and human resources and an internationally recognised expert. His reputation is based on his own groundbreaking research and leadership in creativity, education and training. He is also in demand as an inspirational speaker with a unique talent for conveying a profoundly serious message with enormous humour, passion and wit. He speaks to audiences throughout the world on the changing needs of business, education and organisations in the new global economies. In 2000, he was voted Business Speaker of the Year by over 200 European companies.

Introduction.

Bursting the Banks.

The Septic Focus.

Knowing Your Mind.

Being Creative.

Feeling Better.

Your Are Not Alone.

Balancing the Books.

Endnotes.

References.

Index.

About the Author.