Can you really teach creativity?

Good question. It’s one we get asked a lot in our role as creative directors/leads with agencies. You’ll be buzzin’ to know the answer isn’t straightforward. Short answer is no. Long answer is…kind of. Stick with me. 

Creativity doesn’t have a set formula for success. It’s not a switch that can be flipped, and presto, you’ve concocted a killer campaign. It’s more of a process. Every creative brain is different. Some people are great at throwing the biggest and wildest ideas into the mix, while others are better equipped at catching those ideas and turning them into something workable. There will also be people in your team that might be sh*t hot when it comes to selling the concept to the client and those who are skilled in campaign planning and management. 

Here’s the trap agencies fall into: the best creative ideas don’t always come from the loudest person in the room. In fact, those louder voices can sometimes drown out some of the best ideas. 

We’ve all been in meetings where that one person dominates, throwing out mediocre ideas with the conviction of McKellen at the RSC. The problem isn’t that quieter voices don’t have good ideas; agencies often reward confidence over creativity. We’re not all shouters. Some people like to go away and think about it for a while before committing ideas to paper. Some prefer to work in a small group to come up with ideas. And then there are those (like us) who just despise brainstorming altogether. 

It’s not about teaching you to be more creative but helping you understand your brand of creativity and navigating the cacophony of opinions in the room to ensure your excellence shines through. Our creativity workshops help individuals identify their distinct creative styles. Are you a planner? A pitcher? A dreamer? Each creative type has a vital role in the creative process, and once you know yours, you can start playing to your strengths. When everyone on the team knows how to play their part, you create a space where ideas can thrive and award-winning campaigns can come to life.

So, no, you can’t teach creativity. But you can teach people how to use their creativity. And that’s when the magic happens.

Check out our training solutions, including our popular creative workshop designed for agencies 👇