Movement to Stimulate Creativity
Whilst it remains to be seen what the full impact of AI, automation, and digitalisation will have on businesses, there is no doubt that it will be deep and profound. This will include a widespread loss of jobs – 800 million predicted worldwide by 2030 – and a decrease in wages.
But there is some good news.
AI is limited by its reliance on pre-existing data. It’s unable to fully replicate originality and the emotional depth of human creativity.
As a result, the ever-expanding AI industry, and the larger tech world, will require fresh creative minds. This will lead to a large increase in job opportunities.
“analytical thinking and creative thinking are the most important skills needed by employers globally” – Jobs of the Future, Universities UK
So the overriding question is: how to upskill the creative minds of our current and future employees?
It’s not Brain Surgery – or even Rocket Science
Movement to Stimulate Creativity
Just as technology requires electricity, the human brain - the source of creativity – needs to be stimulated. This is best done by exercising. This stimulates the release of new brain cells, and of a protein called brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
Research conducted by Stanford University revealed that “creative output increased 60% when participants were walking”
It’s known that Steve Jobs preferred to take long walks with his colleagues as a “way to have a serious conversation”.
The University of Hong Kong confirmed that walking side-by-side helps people connect with each other. Their studies showed that this was so powerful, it even works with people who’ve never met before, and even if they aren’t speaking. And in less than 5 minutes.
But there’s more. Exercise not only boosts creativity. It also reduces the risk of cognitive decline, brings down stress levels, and enhances mood.
According to the Harvard Medical School: “a cocktail of feel-good neurotransmitters – serotonin, dopamine, endorphins – is released”
And so it follows, next time there’s a problem to be solved, a need for creative thinking, don’t sit around the office discussing it, take the brains for a walk.
Presentation Skills Myths and Realities #8
Body Language
One of the greatest myths currently bandied around regarding advice on how to improve communication skills is the notion that only 7% is down to the words we use. The rest, a whopping 93%, is conveyed non-verbally, through body language and tone of voice.
I wish this was true.
Our Managing Director Mark Loasby debunks presentation myth number 8 on the blog this month:
Read Myth 8: Body Language
Tales from the Media Room
Being Mindful of Language & Word Selection
Whilst recently listening to the BBC Word Service’s coverage of the election in the US, an American politican said a couple of ’soft’ swear words whilst being interviewed.
In this week’s tales from the media room, Connect’s Ex BBC Newsreader and Presenter, Rebekah James, turns her attention to language and what’s deemed appropriate and not appropriate
Read: Being Mindful of Language & Word Selection
Help us Grow our Community!
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to colleagues/friends who could benefit from receiving them.
Feedback or ideas for future editions? Feel free to send us a quick message to this email address. We would love to hear from you.
Until next month!
Warmest regards,
The Connect Family
