Out of Our Minds audiobook cover - Learning to be Creative

Out of Our Minds

Learning to be Creative

Ken Robinson

★ 4.4 / 5(68 ratings)
Start ListeningDownload App
Categories:
Management & LeadershipCreativityEducation

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

Listen to Out of Our Minds — Free Audiobook

Loading player...

Key Takeaways from Out of Our Minds

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from Out of Our Minds

Mind Map

Out of Our Minds
The Nature of Creativity+
The Need for Creativity Today+
The Failure of Traditional Education+
Fostering Creative Organizations+
Actionable Advice for Life+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
According to the text, why do most people incorrectly believe they are not creative?
  • A. They lack the genetic traits required for artistic expression and divergent thinking.
  • B. They assume creativity is a rare gift reserved for artists, rather than a universal human trait.
  • C. They confuse creativity with high intelligence and academic achievement.
  • D. They have never been exposed to the arts or creative problem-solving during their childhood.
Question 2 of 7
How does the author characterize the current public education system?
  • A. As a modern institution perfectly adapted to the rapid pace of technological change.
  • B. As an ancient system that has remained unchanged since the days of early philosophy.
  • C. As a relic of the industrial revolution designed to produce compliant workers via an assembly-line approach.
  • D. As an overly chaotic environment that prioritizes self-expression over practical skills.
Question 3 of 7
In a 2010 study by IBM, what did top business leaders identify as the most important leadership quality for the future?
  • A. Technological proficiency
  • B. Financial acumen
  • C. Strict discipline
  • D. Creativity
Question 4 of 7
How does the author distinguish between 'imagination' and 'creativity'?
  • A. Imagination is a uniquely human trait, while creativity is shared with many other animals.
  • B. Creativity is applied imagination, meaning it involves taking original ideas and actually putting them to work.
  • C. Imagination is used exclusively for the arts, whereas creativity is applied to math, science, and business.
  • D. They are identical concepts that both refer to the ability to visualize the future.
Question 5 of 7
What is a common misconception that business leaders have about fostering an innovative environment?
  • A. They believe they must abandon all control and embrace complete chaos.
  • B. They assume innovation requires hiring exclusively young, tech-savvy employees.
  • C. They think innovation can only happen in the research and development department.
  • D. They fear that encouraging creativity will lead to a decrease in employee morale.
Question 6 of 7
How do highly innovative companies like IDEO and Pixar successfully facilitate creativity?
  • A. By enforcing rigid corporate hierarchies to ensure all ideas are properly vetted by senior management.
  • B. By isolating their most creative employees in specialized departments to avoid everyday workplace distractions.
  • C. By bringing together interdisciplinary teams and encouraging the cross-pollination of ideas across all staff levels.
  • D. By focusing exclusively on hiring employees who have traditional artistic backgrounds and degrees.
Question 7 of 7
What actionable advice does the author give parents regarding their children's career paths?
  • A. Encourage them to map out a clear, linear career from the very beginning.
  • B. Steer them toward STEM fields to ensure job security in a highly technological world.
  • C. Push them to specialize in one specific subject as early as possible to gain a competitive edge.
  • D. Allow them to be flexible and follow their diverse interests, because life is not linear.

Out of Our Minds — Full Chapter Overview

Out of Our Minds Summary & Overview

Out of Our Minds (2001) shines a light on a fast-paced and constantly changing business world. In particular, it examines how technology has advanced and changed the way we do business, while our public education system has remained stuck in the days of the industrial revolution. It takes a look at what changes need to be made so that schools can prepare the next generation for the creative challenges that lie ahead.

Who Should Listen to Out of Our Minds?

  • Individuals facing creative blocks
  • Business leaders and innovators who want to build creative teams
  • Parents worried about the current education system

About the Author: Ken Robinson

Sir Ken Robinson is an internationally renowned leader in the field of human resources and creative development. He is Professor Emeritus of Education at the University of Warwick and has worked as a consultant for international agencies, governments, Fortune 500 companies and a variety of cultural organizations. His TED talks on education reform have been viewed by millions.

© Ken Robinson: Out of Our Minds copyright 2001, John Wiley & Sons Inc. Used by permission of John Wiley & Sons Inc. and shall not be made available to any unauthorized third parties.

🎧
Listen in the AppOffline playback & background play
Get App