inGenius

May 15, 2012

Psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Carrie Barron and her husband, orthopedic surgeon Alton Barron, propose a "creativity cure" to foster happiness. This cure is made up of five steps--"Insight," "Movement," "Mind Rest," "Using Your Own Two Hands," and "Mind Shift"--which help readers tap into their creative potential and find satisfaction through tactile self-expression. The Barrons guide readers through introspective questions touching on family issues, psychological clutter, and self-mastery. They offer engaging case studies and a wide range of activities one can undertake to nurture creativity (e.g., designing a flowerbed, writing by hand) and encourage readers to just do and not judge. Neuroscientist Seelig (executive director, Stanford Technology Ventures Program, Stanford Univ. Sch. of Engineering; What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20: A Crash Course on Making Your Place in the World) also discusses the creative impulse but applies it to organizations as well as individuals, focusing on generating fresh approaches to everyday problems. She demonstrates, through numerous examples, that creativity and experimentation are both personal mindsets and values in organizations. VERDICT The Creativity Cure helps amp up the creative drive with a good deal of commitment on the reader's part. inGenius acts as a spark plug for managers and entrepreneurs who want to capitalize on the creativity in their organizations. [For The Creativity Cure, see Prepub Alert, 11/28/11.]

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.