Jonathan S. Feinstein

A new model for smarter creativity Innovators and creators work in cultural, economic, and social contexts that shape their work. These contexts are large-scale, filled with overwhelming multitudes of elements and possibilities—but these contexts can be fruitfully "mined" by creative teams. Creativity in Large-Scale Contexts, by Yale professor Jonathan S. Feinstein, introduces a groundbreaking new "network model" to describe how successful innovation can be focused, generated, and accelerated. The book will help teams and organizations innovate smarter and faster. Feinstein argues that in large-scale contexts creativity happens most efficiently when it is actively "guided" by a creative leader or team. Guiding creativity involves understanding, navigating, and actively using the cultural context, identifying puzzles and opportunities, and spanning these tensions to create novel connections. With thoughtful guidance, creators and creative teams can find their way through the thicket of possibilities faster, smarter, and with less waste. Creativity in Large-Scale Contexts draws on case studies of famous creators including Virginia Woolf, Albert Einstein, Indigenous artist Clifford Possum, transgender activist and engineer Lynn Conway, and Twitter cofounder Jack Dorsey. Empirically grounded, this book will be essential for teaching and managing creativity and innovation and will open new avenues for future intellectual growth and practice in the field.

The Nature of Creative Development presents a new understanding of the basis of creativity. Describing patterns of development seen in creative individuals, the author shows how creativity grows out of distinctive interests that often form years before one makes his/her main conributions. The book is filled with case studies that analyze creative developments across a wide range of fields. The individuals examined range from Virginia Woolf and Albert Einstein to Thomas Edison and Ray Kroc. The text also considers contemporary creatives interviewed by the author. Feinstein provides a useful framework for those engaged in creative work or in managing such individuals. This text will help the reader understand the nature of creativity, including the difficulties that one may encounter in working creatively and ways to overcome them.

The Nature of Creative Development presents a new understanding of the basis of creativity. Describing patterns of development seen in creative individuals, the author shows how creativity grows out of distinctive interests that often form years before one makes his/her main conributions. The book is filled with case studies that analyze creative developments across a wide range of fields. The individuals examined range from Virginia Woolf and Albert Einstein to Thomas Edison and Ray Kroc. The text also considers contemporary creatives interviewed by the author. Feinstein provides a useful framework for those engaged in creative work or in managing such individuals. This text will help the reader understand the nature of creativity, including the difficulties that one may encounter in working creatively and ways to overcome them.