Breakthrough Creativity. . - Bookshelf Books in Brief - book review

HR Magazine, Jan, 2002

By Lynne C. Levesque

Davies Black, 2001

267 pages

List price: $26.95

ISBN: 0-89106-153-3

Although you may not associate management with creativity, Lynne C. Levesque points out that reacting to workplace challenges, resolving conflict and motivating others require a great deal of imagination. In her book Breakthrough Creativity, Levesque, a consultant and trainer, describes many kinds of creativity, each of which offers unique benefits.

Using the 16 personality types identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Levesque outlines eight models of creativity and how they can be used in the workplace. She calls these creativity personalities:

* The adventurer. This type of creativity is typical of people who are identified as ESTP or ESFP in their MBTIs. Adventurers enjoy experimenting to solve challenges.

* The navigator. By building on past knowledge, navigators creatively adapt others' work. Levesque says this type of creativity often is found in people with ISTJ and ISFJ personalities.

* The explorer. "Explorers' creative talents lie in their bold imagination and ability to see patterns, relationships, connections and trends," writes Levesque. She says explorers often have personality types ENTP and ENFP.

* The visionary. INTJ and INFJ personalities often rely on this type of creativity, which emphasizes imagination, curiosity and flexibility.

* The pilot. Pilots express their creativity by organizing projects and resources. Levesque says ESTJ and ENTJ personalities often function as pilots.

* The inventor. An inventor uses introspection and internal reasoning to solve problems. Personality types ISTP and INTP are associated with this kind of creativity.

* The poet. Often serving as the ethical backbone of an organization, a poet, writes Levesque, uses creativity to convey values and boost morale. This type of creativity is often found in ISFPs and INFPs.

* The harmonizer. This type of creativity, often in ESFJ and ENFJ personalities, can create environments that help others flourish.

Levesque describes the benefits of each type of creativity and provides suggestions for enhancing creative contributions. Breakthrough Creativity also discusses how to meld these disparate approaches into an effective team. "Having different creative talents on the team," she writes, "will result in better strategic decisions because of the mix of perspectives and decision making they provide."