In general, I agree with Jim Link on what I believe are the important aspects of improving one’s creative thinking and creative problem-solving skills. Perhaps the most significant contribution Link makes to the body of writing on the subject of creativity is that long-term, everyday creativity is fueled by a rich and diverse knowledge and experience base. But I do take exception to his claim that his new creativity is “surprising and simple.” Idea-Links does take a somewhat different approach to the task of improving your creativity, using an efficient set of tools and techniques, but nothing here is truly new or surprising. And as for creativity being simple, many would contend it’s not. In my opinion, exceptional creativity and its execution are among the most difficult performances we can undertake.
Despite my disparate views, my opinion is that Idea-Links: The New Creativity is a useful source of actionable information for those who believe that they do not have creative abilities. But one thing the reader should not expect from the book is an explanation of just how Jim Link discovered his creativity in the basement at a very young age. That’s the enigma of creativity.
(Reviewed by Joseph Yurt for Reader Views)
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