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Reaping the Whirlwind: Managing Creative People (1994)

Manfred Kets de Vries

"Transform creative, unorthodox methods into constructiive action'

This working paper addresses the challenge that lies in transforming creative but unorthodox methods into constructive organisational action. Creative people are often considered to be troublemakers, but in fact they can be a source of innovative products or processes for their organization. The paper begins with a discussion of what creativity really is, looking at both the populist notion and the idea of genius. Subsequently, some of the early development elements that contribute to an individual creativity are explored. Creativity takes one of two possible forms as a result of these developmental experiences: constructive or reactive. Examples of well-known artists, writers and composers are given to illustrate these forms of creativity.  Concrete suggestions are given for managing creative people in the context of organisational, cultural and leadership variables.

INSEAD Working Paper, 1994

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