“The future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind – creators and empathizers, pattern recognisers and meaning makers. These people...will now reap society’s richest rewards and share its greatest joys.” Daniel Pink, author of A whole New Mind.

I came across this quote the other day while reading Donald Trump and Roberty Kiyosaki’s book Why We Want You To Be Rich.

Given recent events driven by corporate greed and corruption their predictions have never rung truer. As more and more corruption is exposed and increasing numbers of people in traditionally highly valued careers, such as lawyers, accountants, and bankers, fall from grace, society will assign less financial, and I would add – moral value - to these occupations.

As a society many people have tended to see left-brained, analytical types as smart, successful and needed. Creative, right brained people have often been under-valued and written off as “airy fairy” and ‘flakey.” That is why accountants, attorneys, doctors, dentists ad MBA’s are generally paid more in corporations all around the world.

But now the moral fibre of many of these “professionals” is being called into question and with the spot light firmly on their activities many of them are not looking so bright.

Bankers are a case in point. Appearing to lack empathy and unwilling to move beyond the boxes they must tick on their forms they err less on the side of humanity and more on the side of excessive caution and profit and are calling in loans and kicking people out of their homes in every increasing numbers. Fraud is rife too. Recently one of NZ’s biggest players has been exposed for misleading investors – something their laywers are trying hard to avoid taking the rap for. Many people blame the banking institutions for the crisis we are all facing now. Their shonky loans and greedy activities have virtually caused the world to self implode.

Then there are the lawyers. I watched with disgust as a lawyer appearing on National TV argued why a man falsely accused of rape should not have been given name suppression until the truth of the allegations was determined. She smiled with smug self-satisfaction as she argued her case convincingly – sparing little compassion for the man’s career and life now in ruins. Not long after I heard of a man caught using his phone to take photos peering up woman's skirts was allowed name suppression. Supposedly if you cry "suicidal thoughts" this is a more "just" reason to avoid being named. :( We all know of similar stories where "smart" lawyers allow wrong doers to walk free. Others charge like wounded bulls, often by the second, and cause people to run up such huge bills that they end up practically giving them the clothes off their back - or as was the case in Horowhenua in the 1800's, forcing people to sell their tribal lands to clear legal debts.

Creative people on the other hand, whilst not beyond their own ego drivers, tend to have more innate sensitivity and a compassion for all living things. They tend to be natural empathizers - caring people who know what it is like to walk in another persons shoes. Creative people are also flexible – able to adapt to changing circumstances.

Creative people, argues Donald Trump, don’t need to be motivated by anyone else. They motivate themselves. They find their inspiration instead of looking for it. JK Rowling for example, found her inspiration for Harry Potter while sitting on a train.

Creative people use their brains in the biggest way possible. They listen to and use both sides of their brains for maximum impact. "A few years ago, there was an article about the most desired recruits for medical school, music majors. The reason is that their left and right brains are equally developed because music is mathematical and creative at the same time,” recounts Donald Trump in his book.

The same principal applies to truly great architecture. Mediocre architects lack an artistic, creative sensitivity, They also lack a concern with the human connection or sensitivity to space. I’ve seen this first hand and benefited in turn by being invited to come up with an alternative design to what I can only call the most inhumane, ugly and totally devoid of any sensitivity, design I have ever seen.

The fact that my concerns are being listened to is further confirmation of the power of creativity. Here’s little ol me, with no formal training in architecture, but a naturally creative and empathetic mind, being taken seriously. You can follow my journey to architecture here

Creativity is also related to intuition – a powerful, non-rational innovative and decision making tool. More and more businesses are tapping into the power of intuition to help them achieve phenomenal results. Donald Trump, is a big fan of following his gut instincts and has achieved results that many people only dream of.

Are you creative? Have you ever had a great idea? Have you ever made money from your great idea? Have you ever used creativity to solve a problem or challenge? Would you like to do less and achieve more?

Click here to learn how you can strengthen your creative powers and get rich.

Labels: Cultivating Creativity